It's been 38 years since a group of players changed the way the game was played. 39 years since Osvaldo Juan Zubeldía took Estudiantes to the peak of continental glory for the last time. It was a wonderful time to be a fan of El Pincha. During a four-year period Estudiantes and Copa Libertadores finals walked hand-in-hand. Former Argentine international Carlos Bilardo (the same Bilardo that would lead Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986) said something that irritated his bitter rivals a great deal back then. "We are Gimnasia's rivals. They aren't ours anymore. Our rivals are teams like Manchester United, AC Milan, and Feyenoord". I don't consider it arrogance. It was more like swagger and Estudiantes had it.

Zubeldía led a group of disciplined as well as talented players that were tactically loyal to what their coach told them. This along with a heavy dose of mental toughness, and a dash of talent made them the most important team in South American football of the late 60's and early 70's. Zubledía became the most influential coach in South American football and brought to life concepts that we consider so simple such as the ability to attack the near post on a set play. His side became the team by playing the role of giant-killer in 1968 when they got past defending former champs Independiente, Peñarol, defending champ Racing Club, and Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras in the finals. The following year they would defeat Uruguayan giant Nacional and then would complete the trifecta toppling Peñarol.

If there was a negative to the legacy of the Estudiantes teams of this era was the simple fact that Brazilian teams were not taking part in the tournament due to a discrepancy in the way the tournament was being organized in '69 and '70. It was a big absence as teams like Santos, Botafogo, Flamengo, Vasco Da Gama, and a host of other Brazilian powerhouses were missing from the international fray. But there was no doubt that Estudiantes was the best team out there regardless of who was placed in front of them.

Players like Juan Ramón Verón, Carlos Bilardo, and Raúl Madero were the nucleus of this team and they forever established a style of play at the club. All of them gave the team that mix of toughness, smarts, and flat out brilliance that they needed in order to become such a successful side.

Now almost four decades later Juan Ramón's son, Juan Sebastián, is leading the same team that he grew up living and dying with to yet another Libertadores final against another Brazilian powerhouse.

Estudiantes vs. Manchester United- 1968 Intercontinental Final First Leg


Estudiantes vs. Feyenoord- 1970 Intercontinental First Leg