Martín Palermo celebra el pase de Platense a la final de Copa Argentina

Platense head coach Martín Palermo expressed pride in his squad’s resilience after securing a spot in the Copa Argentina final, following a penalty shootout victory against Atlético Tucumán in Salta. The satisfaction of this group and the ambition they showed until the end, in the three competitions we had, always fighting, Palermo said, noting that his players had demonstrated such desire, conviction and hunger throughout the season.

Ambition and the Path to the Final

The match in Salta ended in a 1-1 draw, with Nicolás Retamar scoring for Platense to cancel out an earlier goal from Atlético Tucumán’s Renzo Tesuri. In the ensuing penalty shootout, the Calamar prevailed 5-4, a result Palermo attributed to the conviction of his players. Palermo, who previously managed Arsenal, Godoy Cruz and Aldosivi, is now in his second spell at the club and seeking his first title there. He recalled that his previous final with the club was the 2023 Copa de la Liga Profesional, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Miguel Ángel Russo’s Rosario Central in Santiago del Estero. Since 2023, Platense won the 2025 Apertura against Huracán and reached the 2025 Trofeo de Campeones final, where they fell 1-2 to Estudiantes.

Palermo highlighted the team’s ability to maintain competitiveness throughout the season, citing their performance against Fluminense at the Maracaná as a key indicator of their drive. The coach stated that he manages a group that has demonstrated ambition across the Copa Libertadores, the domestic league, and the Copa Argentina.

The Penalty Shootout and Tactical Choices

The decisive moment came when goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani saved the final penalty for Atlético Tucumán. Palermo praised his goalkeeper’s consistency, noting, Juan always ends up giving us a hand, saving that penalty. Regarding the execution of the spot-kicks, the coach added, The five that executed ours, very well, with security and responsibility. Both players ultimately contributed to the victory by converting their respective penalties during the shootout. They understood that I always choose for the team’s convenience, and from the place they are in, they are supporting, that is very nice for the coach, he remarked.

Future Opponent and Boca Juniors Aspirations

Platense now awaits the winner of the semifinal between Boca Juniors and Banfield, which is scheduled for November 14 at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza. When asked about a potential final against Boca, his former club, Palermo maintained a professional stance while acknowledging his personal history with the Xeneize. As reported by TN, Palermo stated, I want Boca to be champion of the Sudamericana, champion of everything. We’ll see about the Copa Argentina when the time comes. He noted that if Boca secures a top-three finish in the annual aggregate table—where they currently lead alongside Argentinos Juniors—they would qualify for the Copa Libertadores independently of the cup result.

The potential for a final showdown has generated significant interest, particularly regarding Copa Libertadores qualification. Furthermore, if Boca wins the Sudamericana, it would grant Argentina an additional seventh spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores, similar to the extra berth gained following Lanús’ 2025 title. However, the final, set for December 2, remains the immediate focus for the Platense staff.

Reflecting on a Career Moment

During his post-match comments, Palermo drew a parallel between the dramatic, rain-soaked conclusion in Salta and a defining moment from his own playing career. He recalled scoring the winning goal for Argentina against Peru in 2009, which famously led to a celebratory dive by then-manager Diego Maradona. At one point I said, this is something epic that we win it on the last play, and I don’t know if it ended like Diego’s celebration throwing myself on my stomach, Palermo joked with reporters.

Tournament Schedule and Next Steps

The second semifinal between Boca Juniors and Banfield will take place on November 14 at 19:00 local time in Mendoza. The winner of that match will face Platense in the tournament final, which is currently scheduled for December 2. Until then, the Calamar will continue preparing for their remaining domestic league fixtures, aiming to carry the momentum from their Salta victory into the final phase of the season.

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