Note

Seeing Mauricio Molina back in the list of travelers suggests that Independiente Medellin has smoothed out its rough edges to concentrate on securing a spot in the final of the Copa Águila against Deportivo Cali tonight (8:00 p.m.), in a series that remains open with a 1-1 draw at Atanasio Girardot.

The issue was openly addressed by Juan José Peláez: "It is said that the idol must be respected, but respect is mutual, the idol must respect his teammates. There is an issue of egos and grudges that were not resolved at the time."

With that heavy burden, the leaders sought to resolve the differences within the team, and in the group that is in Valle del Cauca, Mao stands out, who focused on talking about football and the idea of achieving the first goal: reaching the final of the Copa.

"It is a very important match for us because it is a semifinal and we are one step away from being able to win a title that grants a spot in an international tournament," declared the midfielder, who did not refer to his possible departure from DIM at the end of the year.

Molina admitted that there is some discomfort due to the lack of victories and the poor performance against Rionegro Águilas in the Finalización, but he sees the match with the sugar cane team as an opportunity to change history.

"The team is aware that although the recent results in the League have not been good, we have the Copa to redeem ourselves and get close to being champions of a tournament that has not been won," said number 20, and emphasized that in the last presentation of the Rojo "there is nothing to reproach" because the team tried, but "luck was lacking."

Regarding the last match against Cali in Palmaseca, where they achieved a 3-0 victory in their last visit that keeps them hopeful, Molina indicated that "we have to play it like a final because we are one step away from winning the option to compete for the title."

As for the analysis of what will happen against Héctor Cárdenas' team, the paisa midfielder stated that they hope it will be "a good match for us, where we have mental clarity and where we also respond in the physical aspect to withstand the high intensity that we will have against Cali."