Juan Ignacio Ramírez, Nacional forward, spoke on the program "Punto penal" (Channel 10) about the tricolor's present, the team's tactical approach, and his connection on the field with Federico Martínez.
Nacional beat Racing on Thursday in the fourth round of the Torneo Clausura by 2-1, and Ramírez stated that the team has "a lot to improve" and that in the match against Escuelita, the obligation to win was evident. He said, "We had no choice but to win due to the break we had and the many things that were said. We needed the result. We achieved it and from now on, we can build on that, Federico [Martínez] scored two goals, and that gives him confidence, as well as everyone else, to improve in this remaining stretch of the championship where we know we have no margin for error to fight for it."
Regarding his connection on the field with Martínez, with whom he also played at Liverpool, Ramírez said that they still have "a lot to give" and that they discussed it after the Racing game. He commented, "Although we feel comfortable, we were left with the feeling that if our game were a bit more focused on having possession higher up the field, we could have caused more damage because of the confidence I have in him and the confidence he has in me to do several things that we feel we can do. It's great that he scored the two goals, I know he needed it. Although he is a winger and wingers have to assist, it is also important for him to score goals, and hopefully, it will help him build confidence. It helps me a lot in the game due to the chemistry I have with him on the field."
The forward was also asked about a recurring action in his performances, which is that the coach of Nacional, Álvaro Gutiérrez, tends to substitute him before the end of the matches. For example, in the last three matches of Bolso, Ramírez was replaced at 67 minutes, both against Racing and against Plaza Colonia and Cerro Largo. The player pointed out that he wants to play the entire game, but the decision rests with the coach. He said, "Maybe he thinks that fresh people coming off the bench can press a little more. I don't like being substituted, but I won't make a fuss when it's my turn. Some matches have greater physical exertion and fatigue is greater, but against Racing, I could have stayed on the field for a few more minutes. We have to comply with the coach's rule, whether we like it or not; I hope it is not a constant thing because no one likes being substituted."
Furthermore, when asked if this recurring event affected his confidence or not, Ramírez said that it impacts the way he approaches the matches. He explained, "Based on what has happened before, I enter matches knowing that I have to give my all because at some point I will be substituted. The way we play requires a physically fresh number nine, because of the exertion that forwards like us make when pressing or launching counterattacks with many yards to attack. Looking for an explanation, I think the coach seeks that: to have fresh players who can inflict damage and provide the team's initial pressure. I agree with that, but I don't know if it affects my confidence, it goes beyond that. It does give me that rush to say: I have to score quickly or do things a bit rushed because I might be substituted earlier."
Ramírez also said that although he feels comfortable playing in different offensive systems, he prefers when wingers accompany him on the flanks rather than attacking midfielders playing behind him. He commented, "I have felt comfortable with 'Didí' [Zabala] because as the matches go on, we develop that understanding, we look at each other, and he already knows where my movement is going. In Federico's first goal, he saw me signaling, he has great skill to put the ball there, he knows my movements, and that's great." He also acknowledged that teammates who usually play on the wings also have knowledge of his positioning and how he will move in the area, but he highlighted a general need in the team: "beyond that knowledge, we need to play a bit more in the opposition's half to have more involvement, so for example, if three one-on-one situations arise per game, they should be five. That will increase the chances of scoring."
Talking about this aspect and how Nacional plays most of the matches in a reactive rather than proactive stance, he said that there are moments when the team feels comfortable playing that way, knowing that they have plenty of space ahead to run and attack. He stated, "I don't know if it's because we have Federico and 'Chory' [Castro] who can make good passes, but we have played games like that where we have won 2-0 or 3-0, and it has given us good matches: scoring, waiting calmly, and counterattacking because we know we can hurt the opponent that way."