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These are momentous days in Junior. In the middle of a traumatic and strange year for all that the coronavirus pandemic has meant, the rojiblanco team has managed to overcome an obligatory six-month break, an unexpected change of coach and many other adversities that have appeared along the way.
Under the leadership of Luis Amaranto Perea, who has managed to overcome the obstacles that have been presented to him and the team, after starring in some hesitations due to his inexperience, the Junior has straightened the course and has been on track on the victorious path in the who walked in the last years hand in hand with Julio Comesaña.
Strengthened, blended as a group and wanting to stay on the triumphal path, those led by Perea will face Coquimbo Unido, from Chile, Today starting at 7:30 pm at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan Stadium, in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana
After eliminating a very tough Unión La Calera, also from the southern country, the Sharks will try to beat the ‘Pirates’ in the’ Metro ‘and in the second leg at the Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso stadium, in Coquimbo, and access the semifinal of’ The other half of glory ‘for the third time in its history. He had already achieved it in 2017, when he fell in that instance against Flamengo, and in 2018, when he reached the final that he lost in definition by shots from the penalty spot against Atlético Paranaense).
In the midst of this international challenge, the rojiblancos also face a local challenge: reaching their fourth consecutive final in the League. They will face tonight’s game looking askance at the second leg of the League semi-final against America, Sunday at the ‘Colossus of the Citadel’, from 8 pm
That double competition (apart from the unique game against Envigado that allowed him to access the quarterfinals of the Colombia Cup), have represented the team a physical wear and some injuries that reduce the options of the helmsman. Besides, there are sanctions for accumulating yellow cards (Dany Rosero in the League) and expulsions (Larry Vásquez and Teófilo Gutiérrez in the South American Cup).
‘El Tiburon’ is fighting on all fronts and casualties are inevitable. Luis ‘Cariaco’ González, for example, unfortunately will not be able to play again for the remainder of the season after suffering a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.
Vásquez and Teófilo will not be from the game either when they were expelled in Chilean territory before La Calera.
The absence of Teo represents a great challenge for Luis Amaranto, who will have to find a way to compensate for the absence of his creative light bulb.
The presence of the idol ‘made in’ Chinita in the clash against America is to be seen due to a grade 1 muscle contracture. It is expected that he will evolve in good form and may reappear.
And now the Covid
To add insult to injury, Junior registered seven Covid-19 positives last night among its members, five players and two members of the coaching staff (see separate note).
Those five infected join another player who in recent days tested positive and he is isolated at home, waiting to overcome the illness to rejoin the group.
Despite all those inconveniences that worry and somehow put the illusion at risk in the most definitive moment, Junior has to continue to be stronger and more united than ever.
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