Playing a Classic
Do you know what it's like to play a capital classic and come out as a key player in those "different matches"? This time, their talent will be at the disposal of a different team from Santa Fe. Jonathan Copete and Daniel Torres will be rivals for the first time in a Antioquia derby and will experience this special chapter that forces them to pause their friendship as 'cardinals'.
While the forward is entering his third semester with Atlético Nacional, the midfielder will only play his third match with Independiente Medellín. He already wears the captain's armband, but he will have his great test in the second round of the Liga Águila II-2015.
"I'm excited about the classic. It's a privilege for me. I want to live it to the fullest and with intensity. These matches are to be enjoyed, and I hope to do it with a victory," said Torres, who pointed out that when he wore the Nacional jersey "I always won the classics".
On the other hand, Copete indicated that the commitment to DIM is assumed with all the responsibility that implies facing the local rival. "It's an important match. We hope to fulfill our obligations to our fans (...) The opponent has reasons to fear. We hope to do things well," said the forward.
After expressing what the 285 derby means to each of them, the theme of friendship and what the confrontation with radically opposing shirts will be like emerged. "I have a very good relationship with Jonathan. He is a great person, but each one will defend the interests of their institution," said the new captain of 'Poderoso'.
He knows him so well from the time they were at Santa Fe, the club they made champions after several years, that he has already devised a way to nullify him. He knows he has the conditions to hurt the team of Leonel Álvarez.
"He plays really well. He is a great player. It's not easy to mark him, but we are going to try to control his good football. We have to stay focused and not let him receive the ball. And if he does, we have to mark him well," detailed Torres.
In Copete's mind, the vision of the duel with his former teammate is not different. He appreciates him for what they experienced in the red and white, but he knows that this time each will go their own way. "He is a great teammate and friend. I hope he does well in his team. It will surely be a very healthy competition with him because we want to win," said the forward.
However, the Valle del Cauca native announced that on the Atanasio Girardot field things will be different and the good wishes will disappear. "By facing each other in the classic, we will surely be friends off the field. And on the field, we will be enemies because of what the match requires. It will be important and beautiful," Copete commented on the duel.
Setting aside their bond, the two figures of the Antioquia teams analyzed what the pulse of this Saturday's match (6:00 p.m.) and their opponent will be like. On one hand, Torres talked about Nacional's strengths, their captain, and the squad.
"Nacional has very good players. It's a privilege to play with or against players of Macnelly's quality. We can't give him a clear view of the game because his assists will make us lose the match," said the midfielder, who is motivated to be the leader of DIM: "I thank the group because they have treated me well, and the fans have supported me. That has been important and has strengthened me mentally. I hope to repay them with good play and responsibility".
On the other hand, Copete also praised the qualities of the red team and admitted that they were built to compete for titles. "It's a team with very good players. They will also try to compete and have a good campaign. But we hope that we will be the ones to achieve important things," concluded the forward.