Akrapovic Posted November 24, 2021 Posted November 24, 2021 Defender Felipe Aguilar, in the image with a bandage on his head, is one of Atlético Nacional's standouts in the club's campaign in the Betplay Cup. Nacional had not disputed final instances since 2018 when they lost the League final with Tolima and won the Cup against Once Caldas. That was his last title in Colombia. A very long period of time for a team of the carats of the Antioquia team. Today, after three coaches, two internships and two presidents, in addition to a financial consolidation process, the club reached another final and it is most likely that this Wednesday, after the game against Pereira (8:00 pm), it will lift the 30th trophy in its history, and the fifth in the Colombia Cup. El Verde, on a night inspired last Wednesday, November 10, with goals from Nelson Palacio, Jarlan Barrera, a double from Jéfferson Duque and another from Álex Castro, achieved a 5-0 in their favor in the first leg, a score that has very close to the celebration. In addition, it will have a massive accompaniment of its public who traveled in caravans to the coffee city with the illusion of shouting again, we are champions again! However, as Francisco Nájera, technical assistant, said, you have to finish doing the task and not trust yourself. "Pereira has shown why he is in these instances and I am sure he will be a complex rival." Being able to lift the title is the culmination of a path that was more thorns than roses, in which even a large part of the fans lost their patience last semester, and confronted the players and the coaching staff at the Guarne headquarters. Fundamental changes For this semester, after the departure of World Cup coach Alexandre Guimaraes, Nacional made the bet to return to the roots. First, a trained president was brought in after the resignation of Juan David Pérez, who was the one who began the process of cleaning up finances, as recognized by the organization Ardila Lulle (owner of the club) through a statement thanking his management. They targeted an Antioqueño who from a young age went to prepare for Europe, so Emilio Gutiérrez was the cornerstone of the current project. The first decision he made from the presidency was to involve two idols of purslane history, coach Francisco “Pacho” Maturana (1989 Libertadores Cup champion) and René Higuita, who had already been working as a goalkeeper coach for the club. Higuita was appointed institutional leader and Maturana director of development and soccer, in addition both would be part of the new Soccer Committee. But he found a group of players in a state of mind on the ground before the failure of the first semester, in addition to others fearful by the pressure of the fans. Strengthen the mental part So another successful decision was to bring in the psychologist Andrés Rodríguez who, in his own words, worked on "trust, motivation, concentration, emotional management, communication, leadership and team cohesion." This allowed some players to free themselves from anxiety and improved the sports performance of others who had not made a difference in that first part of the year, including Danovis Banguero, Baldomero Perlaza, Jarlan Barrera, Jéfferson Duque and Jonathan Álvez. Rodríguez also had to work with the uncertainty of Dorlan Pabón, Felipe Aguilar, Yeison Guzmán and Ruyeri Blanco, given the impossibility of the club to register them due to the legal mess with Cortuluá due to the transfer of Fernando Uribe. A house technician Another wise decision was to appoint Alejandro Restrepo as a proprietary coach, despite opposition from a part of the fans and the press, who saw him as an inexperienced coach for a dressing room like Nacional's. Alejandro, with work and results, was in charge of agreeing with the managers, and also changed the perception of him. Today he is on the verge of his first title as a professional coach and of entering the history of the club by giving him the 30th championship. Nothing ensures success, but Nacional took important steps to be a protagonist again in Colombia and the great objective is to be one again. international level LINK: https://www.elcolombiano.com/deportes/atletico-nacional/nacional-sale-por-su-titulo-30-ante-el-pereira-LB16068838
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