A successful return was had by forward Jonatan Álvez with Barcelona. The Uruguayan contributed with a goal in his team's 4-1 victory over Independiente, which ended Barcelona's three consecutive defeats.
The last time that Loco, as he is nicknamed, celebrated a goal with the team was on December 3, 2017, when they defeated Fuerza Amarilla 0-2 in Machala.
"It's very nice to be back, I didn't expect it. The team was going through a bad spell, we had to come out with a victory and luckily we got it," Álvez commented after the match against the rayados.
"Most of the players already know the coach's (Leonardo Ramos) playing style, I will try to adapt, it will cost me a bit physically, but I will give my best," added the 31-year-old player.
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The Uruguayan entered the field as captain, however, in the second half, he handed the captaincy over to Matías Oyola, arguing that "the only captain" in the club is Pony.
Meanwhile, in the analysis of the match, coach Ramos highlighted what his players did.
"There were very high performances, but I believe that the team in general had a very good performance. I am sure that what happened before (consecutive defeats against El Nacional, Macará, and Mushuc Runa) is not the image we want for Barcelona," expressed the Uruguayan coach.
"We believed it was the best thing to do (to give captaincy to Jonatan Álvez). Especially because of the reunion with the club and the fans."
Leonardo Ramos, Barcelona's coach
"We knew we needed to give a new image and the players contributed to showing a team with what I want," Ramos added at the press conference after the match played at the Monumental stadium.
The coach also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the duo formed by Frickson Erazo and Uruguayan Alejandro González in the center of the defense.
"The performance was very good, the truth is that it is commendable because they haven't had time to train together, we knew what Alejandro could give us. Frickson had a very good match, he actually contributed a lot for the team to play from midfield forward as it did," said the coach of the toreros.
The canarios will face Santa Rita tomorrow in Vinces, in the rematch of the round of 16 of the Copa Ecuador.
"It was a dream afternoon, it was very important to have won. We overcame one of the best teams in the Ecuadorian tournament."
Alejandro González, torero's defense
36 points
That is the number of points that Barcelona has accumulated, placing them in fourth position in the standings. In the next match, the canarios will visit Quito to face Universidad Católica. (D)