The great partnership Otálvaro-Anchico returns to Santa Fe

The 21 minutes he was on the field during the 4-0 victory against La Equidad raised hopes for Sergio Otálvaro to return to the starting lineup of Santa Fe and play alongside Yulián Anchico again.

A spectacular play at the 88th minute was enough to validate the great partnership between Otálvaro and Anchico. The memories of seasons like 2009, 2010, and 2012, when both were starters - the former as a full-back and the latter as a right midfielder, respectively - remain intact.

The duo dazzled again last Sunday at El Campín, with fast movements, relays, and speed precision that resulted in a goal. The action started with Armando Vargas in the middle of the field, and between Sergio and Yulián, they took the ball into the area of La Equidad with an extraordinary wall and a precise cross from the number 5 that ended at the feet of Luis Manuel Seijas, who sealed the score at 4-0 with a great left-foot shot.

"I'm happy with the result, we know that this is just the beginning, and in the short time I had, I contributed to the team. We hope to rebuild that partnership with Yulián. I want to have the opportunity to play more minutes with the main group," said Otálvaro.

And precisely, the goal of the 28-year-old from Antioquia is to regain the starting position in Santa Fe, prove that he has the skills to do it, and relive those past achievements, like when he became champion of the Copa Postobón 2009 and the Liga Postobón 2012-I, being a starter and a standout player alongside Yulián Anchico.

"I see myself in the back four on defense and Yulián a little further forward; it's a variant that can yield good results. I hope to demonstrate in the next matches that I am in good form and ready to contribute to the team," he said.

Although coach Gerardo Pelusso wants to maintain the style that Santa Fe has been playing in recent years, he has some variations in terms of the game plan, which would allow 'Checho' to make his dream come true.

"Pelusso knows the squad well; he is a knowledgeable person who likes to vary the game plan and set up a 4-4-2, an alternative for when Omar Pérez is not available. It's a system that can be implemented without any problem, so I hope to secure a place in the starting lineup and contribute to the team," he said.

This Wednesday at El Campín, the presence of Sergio Otálvaro is expected among the 11 players who will once again face La Equidad, this time in the first leg of the Copa Águila round of 16. "I had a great preseason, and it shows when I go out on the field. This semester I'm going to make a positive impact; I prepared myself in the best possible way to contribute to the team, and I am ready to be a starter," recognized the full-back, who hopes to regain the position he never should have left and once again shout out as a champion.