Atlético Nacional prepares for friendly match against Vélez Sarsfield

After their first game against Guaraní, Atlético Nacional is getting ready to face Vélez Sarsfield of Argentina in a friendly match that will serve as a presentation for Coach Reinaldo Rueda's team. The match will take place at the Polideportivo Sur de Envigado on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.

"Every competition serves to make adjustments and find the rhythm. Hopefully, we can take advantage of this friendly match because we need to keep improving," said the coach about the match that was initially scheduled to be played in Bogotá.

Before facing Miguel Ángel Russo's team, Nacional has focused on getting in shape physically, adopting the new football idea, and refining details for the start of Liga Águila II-2015 and the Copa Águila. "This group has a good work ethic and has been recovering their level for the competition," said Rueda.

The main attraction of this preparation match, in addition to the debut of the coaching staff, is the presentation of Yimmi Chará and Macnelly Torres, the two new reinforcements for Nacional. "I felt good in the game against Guaraní. The team is preparing well. And in that match against Vélez, we will try to do things in the best way," commented Chará.

Beyond the result and the show, the green team hopes that the clash with Vélez serves as a thermometer and reveals the team's level one week before the competition starts. "We hope that the team shows a better football and physical form, and that the tactical concepts are noticeable," stated Francisco Nájera.

The presence of the fans will be an additional ingredient in Nacional's last friendly match before starting the path to the title. About 11,000 spectators will welcome 'Mac', Chará, and Rueda. "It is a demanding opponent, as Guaraní was. But it will be in a different setting because it cannot be compared to playing in our home stadium," added 'Pacho'.

Several players will not play against El Fortín due to injuries and precautions. Daniel Bocanegra, Jéfferson Duque, Sebastián Pérez, Alexis Henríquez, and Alejandro Bernal are under medical care. Camilo Vargas was also not taken into account because he only joined the team on Friday.

After facing the Argentinian team, Nacional will have to wait for the date, time, and location to be assigned for the match against Águilas Doradas in the first round of Liga II, which was postponed by Dimayor. Their first match will be in the Copa Águila against Junior in the round of 16 (July 15).

These are the 18 players that the coaching staff has called up for the match against Vélez:

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani and Luis Martínez.

Defenders: Dávinson Sánchez, Gilberto García, Diego Peralta, Francisco Nájera, Óscar Murillo, Farid Díaz, and Juan David Valencia.

Midfielders: Jairo Palomino, Diego Arias, Macnelly Torres, and Yulián Mejía.

Forwards: Orlando Berrío, Luis Carlos Ruiz, Andrés ‘Manga’ Escobar, Yimmi Chará, and Jonathan Copete.