A delegation of 44 people, including 26 players and 6 members of Emelec's coaching staff, will travel on January 9 to Alicante, a province on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, to carry out the preseason of the millionaire's first team with a view to 2020.
The team, led by coach Ismael Rescalvo - originally from Valencia - will participate in a series of activities for 19 days and 18 nights. These activities include 20 work sessions: 18 training sessions and 2 friendly matches with European opponents to be confirmed; Emelec's president, Nassib Neme, told EL UNIVERSO on November 30 that the opponents could be Russian, Spanish or German teams.
The Camilo Cano Sports City, in La Nucía (about 50 km northeast of the city of Alicante), is the chosen place to prepare the team, which will face the LigaPro, the Copa Ecuador and the Copa Sudamericana next year.
"Emelec's effort (financial and logistical) is very important. It is good that they go to Europe because it not only prepares them physically, but also fosters the social aspect among the players," said Duffer Alman, a 65-year-old fitness coach. He led the conditioning work of the team in 1994, the year they won their eighth national title, and in 2006, when they achieved the vice-championship under the command of Carlos Torres Garcés.
But Emelec's preseason will start three days before their trip to Spain, on January 6, when the players will undergo medical, laboratory, anthropometric and physical tests.
According to Alman - also a member of the coaching staff of the national team with Dusan Draskovic and later Francisco Maturana - these check-ups are essential in assigning activities in the pre-season training.
"While thinking in terms of the collective, individual work is done at the same time, and that depends on the initial conditions, which define the specific work for each player," explained the physical preparation professional.
Regarding their participation in the three tournaments of 2020, Emelec will play a minimum of 34 matches next year, a number that could increase to 52 in the best case scenario (if they reach the finals).
"The preseason is when a team (individually) takes shape, so it is a quantitative work. The form acquired during this period is then maintained throughout the season through qualitative, tactical work. Evaluation is an important third phase in Ecuadorian soccer; it is a transition," said Alman.
According to information provided by the Guayaquil club, the delegation will stay at the Albir Playa Hotel & Spa, a 17-minute drive from the training center.
In addition, the team will attend an official match of the Spanish La Liga and enjoy a day of tourism and recreation.
However, the cold wave in Europe worries Alman, who warned, "I don't think the adaptation and work will be easy for them; it's very cold."
Emelec will return to Guayaquil on January 27, where they will continue training at Samanes. The Explosión Azul is scheduled for January 28 to February 1.
"Emelec going to Europe is remarkable because it not only prepares them physically, but also fosters the social aspect among the players."
Duffer Alman, fitness coach
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