first South American team to defeat Real Madrid CF on Spanish soil. The match was played on January 1, 1931 and ended with a score of 3–2 for Gimnasia. Gimnasia was the first Argentine club to hire a foreign manager in the professional era, Emérico Hirschl from Hungary. Between August 12, 1932 and September 9, 1934 Gimnasia won five consecutive La Plata derbies, the longest run of victories in that derby to date. Gimnasia best score ever was an 8–1 victory against Racing Club on November 22, 1961. Curiously, Racing Club was the champion on that year. Chronology of the home stadium The club have not always had its own stadium, before 1924 the team played in different courts. Also, at present, due to problems with the Juan Carmelo Zerillo Stadium, the team is forced to play matches of high concurrence at the Ciudad de La Plata Stadium. Here are the places where locally made (without regard to temporary situations): 1901-1905 Plaza de Juegos Atléticos, 1 Avenue & 47 Street, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. 1905 51 & 20 streets, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. (Belgrano's field - played a few matches to complete 1905 season) 1906-1911 Practice of football is suspended. 1912-1914 Plaza de Juegos Atléticos de los Bomberos, 60 Avenue (near present stadium) 1915 Club Independientes field (near present stadium) 1916-1923 12 & 71 streets (Meridiano V), La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. 1924-2005 Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo (named on December 21, 1974), 60 Avenue & 118 Street, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. 2005-2008 Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, 32 & 25 streets, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. 2008–present Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo, 60 Avenue & 118 Street, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. The stadium's club remains the Juan Carmelo Zerillo Stadium, which is owned by the club. At present, after the steering committee headed by Gisande arrangements made at the security agency Co.Pro.Se.De enabled the stadium for matches of minor visitor attendance. However, Gimnasia y Esgrima can play home games at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata if they so decide. Notes References Gimnasia La Plata History of football in Argentina History of association football by club