Peñarol Coach Praises Squad's Grit After Clásico Title Win and Highlights Key Defensive Play

After Peñarol’s penalty shootout win over Nacional in the Torneo Intermedio final, manager Diego Aguirre was full of praise for his squad. “The players showed great character and gave everything on the field. We closed the first half of the year on a strong note. It could have been better, but our focus now is on the Copa Libertadores,” he told VTV.

Although the title didn’t award league points, Aguirre insisted that winning was a duty: “It was important to finish this part of the season with a win. We had a tough start, but this ending is positive.”

He noted Peñarol’s strong first half-hour and highlighted one specific moment — Maximiliano Olivera’s last-second block — as emblematic of the team's spirit: “That play should be shown as an example of how we need to play. Defending like Maxi did, giving everything, that’s what Peñarol is about.”

Aguirre dismissed the pre-match narrative of Nacional being favorites. “They said Nacional had the deeper squad, but we showed we have quality too,” he said. He also applauded the performances of young players like Nahuel Herrera, Leandro Umpiérrez and Stiven Muhlethaler, particularly for their composure in the penalty shootout: “They stepped up with confidence. It’ll help them grow.”

The coach ended on a note of gratitude: “I felt I owed the fans a joy. Winning a clásico was necessary — it’s part of our responsibility.”