Atlético Nacional visits Junior de Barranquilla, this Wednesday for matchday 6 of the League II-2021 A group. The verdolagas close a year in which they only managed to win the Copa Colombia, and will seek to impose themselves for the second consecutive time at the Metropolitano stadium, against a Junior team in reconstruction and looking for a victory that leaves them with options for a hypothetical qualification to the Copa Libertadores 2022 playoffs.
Several new players were presented by coach Alejandro Restrepo in his call-up list: among the novelties, the young players Brahian Palacios and Jhon Solis stand out in the group, about Palacios, he is a left winger, born in 2002, from Medellin. He came to Nacional from Club Sol de Oriente, he is skillful, very technical, fast and has a good goal scoring ability.
Regarding Solis, this is his second call-up this semester. Born in Guacarí, Cauca in 2004. He arrived from Guacarí Racing Club four years ago to the training process. He is an offensive midfielder with a right profile, currently playing in the youth and Primera A categories. He scored one of the goals in the national championship final against Estudiantil.
As for the absences, the following players are injured: Baldomero Perlaza, Felipe Aguilar, Dorlan Pabon, Yerson Candelo, Jefferson Duque and Geisson Perea. Cristian Castro Devenish was not called up due to technical decision and Alex Castro is pending suspension, so he was not called up either.
"For us, it is important to play well in Barranquilla, flow with the concepts we have trained during the season, we know that we are going to face a great rival. We hope to develop our idea, they are strong and will want to win with their fans. We are striving to stay on the path of good play that leads us to victory," highlighted coach Restrepo.
In the Colombian League, Atlético Nacional and Junior de Barranquilla have faced each other in 246 matches, of which the verdolagas have won 93 times against 77 for the tiburones and 76 matches ended in a draw. In terms of goals scored, the antioquenos conquered 291, compared to 271 by the caribenos.
Atlético Nacional has not won in its last seven playoff matches against Junior (five draws, two losses), since the finals of the 2015 Finalization Tournament (1-0), goal by Marlos Moreno. Of the last nine meetings between the two teams, Nacional has won two, Junior three and there have been four draws.
Atlético Nacional: Aldair Quintana; Jonathan Marulanda, Emmanuel Olivera, Juan David Cabal, Danovis Banguero; Bryan Rovira, Nelson Palacio (Sebastián Gómez), Jarlan Barrera, Yeison Guzmán, Andrés Andrade; Ruyery Blanco.
Coach: Alejandro Restrepo.
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Stadium: Metropolitano.
Referee: Carlos Betancur (Valle).
TV: Win+.
Juan Camilo Álvarez Serrano
Correspondent FUTBOLRED
Medellin
On Twitter: @juanchoserran8