Total recovered, after an injury that kept him out in the last matches of the previous semester, and motivated by the hope of a new beginning, Luis Carlos Arias returned to training with Independiente Santa Fe.
"I rested a lot during the vacation and took a new breath for this second semester. I feel very good. I arrive recovered and working well. In this preseason, we have done a tough and demanding physical work, we have run a lot. We are happy with the coach, there is good expectation, he trusts the team a lot, he knows all of us very well - we didn't even have to introduce ourselves. We are preparing for the start of the tournament," Arias said.
There has been a lot of talk about a possible transfer of Arias to Medellín, but it is a topic that the midfielder prefers to leave aside, as he does not know the formal offer and is focused on the season work with the Bogota team. He has three competitions in sight: League, Copa Águila and Copa Sudamericana.
"I don't want to talk about the subject. Many things have been said about it, but we were focused on preseason and I wasn't aware of anything. We are in Santa Fe, with pleasure and working for this semester. So far, they haven't told me anything formal, whether I'm leaving or not, nothing. I am focused on what Santa Fe is," he said.
The 'cardenal' team completes nearly 18 days of work under the command of coach Gerardo Pelusso, the group has adapted well to the work and is getting into the rhythm of competition. However, emphasis has been placed on physical work. With a laugh, Arias said "we have run a lot."
"We are focused on working together in the tactical and physical aspects (there hasn't been talk of a starting lineup or forming two teams). For now, we are running a lot, doing gym and strength work. In addition, we have worked on some tactical aspects but based on what the team was doing in the previous semester," Arias explained.
Santa Fe will play two more friendly matches this week, Wednesday and Saturday. Luis Carlos Arias is aware of the importance of these games to regain the level of competition and reach the optimal point that the team requires for the three tournaments.
"We are just starting, we are tough, it has been difficult with the ball because we have to run and it has been complicated. However, we are calm because we are working well. This semester we are going to bet on the three tournaments, we will take it step by step and see how the journey unfolds," he said.
Despite the interest of DIM in having the Antioquia-born player - who is a loyal fan of this club - the midfielder continues training with Santa Fe, adapting to the rhythm and style that the new coaching staff of the 'Cardenal' team wants.