Martín Astudillo Explained

Martín Astudillo
Fullname:Martín Mauricio Astudillo[1]
Birth Date:11 October 1977
Birth Place:Mendoza, Argentina
Height:1.87 m
Position:Midfielder
Years1:1995–1997
Years2:1997–1999
Years3:1999–2009
Years4:2008
Years5:2009–2010
Years6:2012
Years7:2014–2015
Clubs1:Godoy Cruz
Clubs2:Gimnasia Jujuy
Clubs3:Alavés
Clubs4:Osasuna (loan)
Clubs5:Rosario Central
Clubs6:Deportivo Maipú
Clubs7:Atlético Argentino
Caps1:55
Caps2:67
Caps3:311
Caps4:13
Caps5:11
Totalcaps:457
Goals1:3
Goals2:2
Goals3:19
Goals4:1
Goals5:0
Totalgoals:25
Manageryears1:2016–2017
Manageryears2:2017–2018
Manageryears3:2019–2020
Managerclubs1:Independiente Rivadavia
Managerclubs2:Gimnasia Jujuy
Managerclubs3:Huracán Las Heras

Martín Mauricio Astudillo (born 11 October 1977) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, currently a manager.

He spent one decade in Spain with Alavés, appearing in 149 matches in La Liga and 162 in the Segunda División.

Club career

Born in Mendoza, Astudillo started his career in the Primera Nacional with Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba of Mendoza Province. In 1997, he was signed by Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy of the Primera División, and two years later moved to Deportivo Alavés in Spain.

First-choice from the start, Astudillo scored four league goals in his first season, and was instrumental in the Basque side's runner-up run in the UEFA Cup the next year.[2] In the following campaign he only missed one match and netted on five occasions, helping his team finish seventh in La Liga.

Astudillo remained loyal to Alavés throughout the vast majority of his Spanish stint, playing in the top flight as well as the Segunda División as they were twice relegated from the former (in 2003–04, he collected a season-worst 19 yellow cards). However, in January 2008, he rejoined the top tier, signing on loan with CA Osasuna who had lost another central midfielder, Javad Nekounam, severely injured in preseason.[3]

During the season, Astudillo was instrumental in helping the Navarrese barely escape relegation as he scored the game's only goal at RCD Espanyol on 13 April 2008.[4] In August 2009, after Alavés suffered relegation to the Segunda División B, he bought out the remainder of his contract and returned to his country after ten years, joining Rosario Central;[5] he made a best-ever 346 competitive appearances for his main club.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Martín Mauricio ASTUDILLO. El Mundo. Spanish. 2 June 2007.
  2. Web site: Liverpool win nine-goal epic with golden goal. UEFA. 1 September 2014. 28 June 2016.
  3. News: Astudillo: "Ha sido importante recobrar la ilusión por jugar en Primera". Astudillo: "To regain the illusion for playing in Primera was important". Diario de Navarra. Spanish. 1 February 2008. 22 May 2014. dead. https://archive.today/20140522234659/http://www.diariodenavarra.es/20080201/deportes/astudillo-ha-sido-importante-recobrar-ilusion-jugar-primera.html?not=2008020114005609&dia=20080201. 22 May 2014.
  4. Web site: Espanyol 0–1 Osasuna. https://archive.today/20120724142216/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226599?cc=5739. dead. July 24, 2012. ESPN Soccernet. 13 April 2008. 28 February 2012.
  5. News: Astudillo se desvincula del Alavés para fichar por el Rosario de Argentina. Astudillo cuts ties with Alavés to sign for Rosario in Argentina. Marca. Spanish. 31 July 2009. 28 February 2012.
  6. Web site: Astudillo, leyenda del Alavés. Astudillo, Alavés legend. Cadena COPE. Miguel. Palazón. Spanish. 17 June 2018. 25 March 2020.