Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata continues its preparation for the 'battle of the disciples' in the Apertura Tournament. This Thursday, the club's squad trained at the Estancia Chica facility, focused on the Round of 16 match against Vélez, set to take place next Sunday at the Estadio José Amalfitani. Gimnasia, led by Ariel Pereyra, aims to pull off a major upset in Liniers and advance to the quarter-finals. The team's six consecutive victories in recent matches have generated optimism among fans and the squad. However, they will face one of the best teams in Argentine football, Vélez, who finished third in Zone A. Gimnasia placed sixth in Zone B but has shown great performance in the tournament. This match is also special as it pits two club legends against each other: Ariel Pereyra and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, both disciples of the legendary Carlos Timoteo Griguol. This past Wednesday, fans commemorated Griguol on the anniversary of his passing, adding emotional significance to the encounter. Sunday’s match is not just a battle for qualification but also a tribute to Griguol's influence on the development of these coaches.