It seems that time has gone backwards.
As if they were still those two Gimnasia fans who sang in the stands, requested songs by Los Rodríguez or hummed Flowers by the Rolling Stones at friends’ gatherings.
Guillermo and Gustavo Barros Schelotto.
Yesterday they turned 53 years old. And fate, on a birthday of May 4, enveloped them again last night in court weather: Velez They closed the regular phase already qualified for the Play Off, tied with Newell’s, and now they have to faceGymnext Sunday, at 9:30 p.m., at the stadium «Jose Amalfitani». And Gullermo spoke, head on: «Professionalism is one hundred percent on the playing field. On Sunday my team will be there that gave me the opportunity to play, but today I have to defend the Vélez shirt and we have to try to win to demonstrate everything we have been doing.»
THE GDPS OF PLAZA ROCHA
It still seems possible to see them leave the family house on diagonal 78, turn the corner and cross with a ball towards Plaza Rocha. Times that remind us of first love, For Ever Children’s Groupwhere the brother also stopped Pablofor ’71; great parties raising dust from the little field of the San Francisco parish, adjacent to Saavedra Park, until one day the Franciscans no longer wanted to lend the land.
They lived football before they even became professionals.
They were the doctor’s children Hugothe club’s obstetrician and sports doctor, committed leader and emergency president in 1983, when the twins were barely through childhood. Thanks to his father, one day they had a player’s first jersey at home, that of Rodolfo “Fito” Pezzatti.
Even the small customs were recorded. Being well-known players, they never stopped coming to the neighborhood fields to say hello, sign autographs or support the Soccer School that bore their last name.
They grew together until they became not only elite soccer players, but also coaches, Lanusof Bocaof Los Angeles Galaxyof Paraguayof Velez. Always together.
THOSE DUELS AGAINST VÉLEZ
Long before they crossed paths as coaches, there were a series of matches that marked an era. Both brothers played against Vélez five times.
But there was a first previous scene that also deserves to be told.
On December 15, 1991, Guillermo—at just 18 years old—entered in place of Hugo Guerra before Vélez. Gustavo was still waiting for his opportunity. They lived those days with nerves and anxiety, dreaming together.
The second time would be much more important: the final of the Pre-Libertadores Liguilla on the River court. Gimnasia fought until the end, with Guillermo accompanying Guerra and Odriozola on offense, but Vélez ended up imposing his power in the decisive minutes. Liniers’ team qualified for the Copa Libertadores and Tripero had to settle for the Conmebol Cup.
The following year would mark the beginning of the glorious era of Vélez de Carlos Bianchi.
And on April 8, 1993, in Liniers, the two twins met for the first time against that enormous team.
Guillermo was the starter. Gustavo entered with ten minutes left.
Vélez won with a goal from “Gallego” González and expulsion of Morant on an afternoon of hot weather and permanent friction.
To see both as starters again against Vélez, we had to wait eighteen months.
On November 20, 1994, Vélez arrived at Bosque as champion of America. The two Schelottos started from the beginning.
Guillermo had not yet renewed his contract. Gustavo was replaced in the complement. And Gimnasia won 3 to 1 with a memorable performance. Two goals from Federico Lagorio – one after an assist from Guillermo – and another from “Pícaro” Fernández.
But perhaps the big function would come a few months later. Tuesday, May 16, 1995. Night in Liniers. The twins had just turned 22 years old.
Vélez started winning with a goal from “Turu” Flores. Then came Gustavo’s expulsion. Chilavert saved a penalty from Morant and it seemed that everything was going uphill.
Then Guillermo appeared. First with a cross shot. Then with an extraordinary free kick.
Gimnasia won 2 to 1 at Fortín after seventeen years and was fighting at the top of that unforgettable Clausura 95. Perhaps it was the best game for Griguol’s team in that championship that had them runners-up behind San Lorenzo.
THE LAST CROSSINGS
On June 23, 1996 they met again in the Forest. Headlines again. Protagonists again.
He “Mouse” Sanguinetti He overtook Lobo, who played a great game and took away the undefeated Vélez de Bianchi. But seven minutes from the end Martín Posse appeared to seal the 1-1 score. That tie maintained the difference of three points between both teams with five dates left until the end of the Clausura.
The last time Guillermo and Gustavo faced Vélez together was on September 15, 1996. Another draw. Another intense match. Roberto Sosa converted for Gimnasia (Chilavert did not save, involved in an old judicial problem; Cavallero replaced him) and again the “Cholo” Posse embittered Lobo at the close.
It was the year where Lanús —led by Cuper— finished first in the annual table with 71 points, followed by River —by Ramón Díaz and the “Galácticos”— with 67, Gimnasia with 66 and Vélez with 63.
An unrepeatable era.
LIFE KEEPS PLAYING
The years passed. Those kids with sharp dribbling and frenetic overflow left the speed of their legs behind. Now they live football from another place: that of analysis, leadership and experience. But something remains intact. The essence.
The soccer and human genetics that they inherited from Hugo Barros Schelotto, that doctor trained at the National University of La Plata who left an enormous mark on Gimnasia and whose departure, during the pandemic, deeply hit the tripero world.
Now new names appear in this family saga: Bautista Barros Schelottoson of Pablo (whom the grandfather saw play in his debut for the Argentine Cup in 2019, on the Temperley field); and Nicholas Barros Schelottoson of William.
The ball keeps rolling. The next Vélez-Gimnasia is calling towards the end of Sunday, and in the family, each one doing their own thing trying to give their best. Because it’s football. And, in addition to a very healthy way of life, it is a job with many responsibilities for coaches and professional players.
