Maximiliano Olivera Returns to the Starting Lineup With a Goal as Peñarol Beats Central Español

A goal from Maximiliano Olivera got things moving, and Peñarol wound up closing out a win that, while hard fought, left more peace of mind than anything else. 2-1 over Central Español in the second round of the Torneo Clausura 2026, against a rival that, as often happens to the aurinegros, dropped back and made things difficult right to the end.

The captain, back in the starting lineup after a month out with injury, was the one who broke the deadlock and later, in the mixed zone, explained how the match had felt from the inside. He talked about patience, and that is no small word when Peñarol takes on a team that packs it in behind the ball: Central Español had made life difficult for them in previous meetings too.

I'll take the win, that's the most important thing. The team managed the game well, we didn't get anxious against a team that dropped back, which has always given us trouble like that, we've suffered against them in past matches. I'll take the team's patience.Maximiliano Olivera

Olivera himself admitted the match was under control until a poorly defended set piece gave the opponent an opening, something that also led to a red card and made things a bit more complicated than they needed to be in a match that, in his view, was overall a good one for Peñarol.

Back in the starting eleven after a month out

For the defender, the goal carried extra weight: it came in the very match marking his return to the starting lineup after a month sidelined by injury. That is no small detail for someone who has dealt with physical setbacks all year and who, as he explained, keeps working hard even when he is not the one out on the field.

I was eager to get back. This year has been tough for me with injuries and other things, but I'm always working, giving everything and supporting the team from wherever I can. I'm happy about that, and luckily, I was able to help with that goal.Maximiliano Olivera

Olivera also took a moment to speak about the backing he gets from Diego Aguirre. He said the coach has always stood by him, even when things didn't go his way, and that this support has a lot to do with the commitment he himself puts in on the field.

Then came the more personal part of the conversation. Asked about criticism from some fans, the captain was direct: he said he himself is the first to be unfair to himself, so it's better not to imagine how the view from outside might be. He spoke about self-criticism, about carrying blame that sometimes isn't even his to carry, and about how much it hurts him when Peñarol isn't doing well.

He wrapped up by asking the fans for patience, with the same commitment as always to leave everything out on the field, even when individual results don't always follow. With the win over Central Español, Peñarol picks up important points at the start of the Clausura 2026 and finds in its captain one of the symbols of the effort it demands.