After two extremely complicated keys, Millonarios managed to access the grand final of the BetPlay League 2021-I. The ambassador team left two giants on the road: América de Cali (two-time champion) and Junior de Barranquilla (the most expensive payroll of the FPC).
Throughout the contest, those led by Alberto Gamero suffered several ups and downs and very tough tests that they managed to overcome. The ultimate goal is just 180 minutes away from coming true: the 16 star.
The last time Millos reached a final was in 2017, when he played the remembered duel against Independiente Santa Fe. It was a year in which curiously complicated tests were also experienced.
Precisely on the latter, there are several similarities between that champion team and the current semifinalist. At FUTBOLRED we analyze them:
Critical moment in the middle of the tournament
– At the 2017 Completion, the team led by Miguel Ángel Russo had a rebirth in September. He had been having fairly regular presentations and the fans were about to explode (10 box on matchday 12). The group spoke, reflected and from that moment on they won almost all the duels by difference of one goal. Just fair.
+ In the Apertura 2021, the Albiazules also bottomed out due to two painful defeats in El Campín (9 spots on matchday 10). After that, the change was noticeable and the last five days were sensational.
National was hinge
– According to the previous point, the game that changed the chip was against Nacional in Medellín. Despite falling 3-2, Millonarios had an extremely favorable performance and that was the click to realize that there was enough payroll to reverse the situation.
+ The situation was repeated this year. This time it was lost with the purslane team in El Campín by 1-2, after winning almost the entire match. Painful comeback that helped the youth to wake up. Later, the duel against Santa Fe sealed the blue promotion.
Board support
– The directors, led by President Enrique Camacho, gave full support to Russo. Despite the bad moments, the memory of the Apertura semifinal (being eliminated by Nacional in the last play) gave faith that fruits could be drawn from the process. In the end, so much effort was rewarded.
+ In the midst of so much criticism, the board again gave the coach a vote of confidence. This time it was Alberto Gamero, a man with an albiazul heart and who showed interesting points with the handling of the youth and the undefeated at the beginning of the year.
Changes in arch
– In 2017, Nicolás Vikonis alternated in several games with Ramiro Sánchez, especially throughout the first semester. Although the Uruguayan was the undisputed starter, his second showed excellent conditions and even stole the title for a long time.
+ Since the end of 2020, Christian Vargas seemed to take over the goal, but from the fans there was a lot of resistance. Cristian Bonilla replaced him once (it was terribly bad for him) and Juan Moreno, the youth squad, at the first chance took ownership. Now in 2021 and after several mistakes, ‘Juanito’ returned to the bench, Vargas put on his gloves and fulfilled in a great way so far.
Diseases that hit the group
– Despite the fact that the title was recently obtained, coach Miguel Ángel Russo had to face cancer throughout the semester. Few knew the state of the Argentine and everything was kept completely silent. Finally, the DT not only won the football battle but also that of his life, thus leaving the immortal phrase: “Everything is cured with love.”
+ When it seemed that Andrés Felipe Román would go neither more nor less than Boca Juniors, a heart problem ruined everything. Since then, studies have been carried out to clarify his condition and avoid a possible risk. So far, the results have been satisfactory, everything is on the right track. On the other hand, Fredy Guarín had a very tough personal problem that forced him to pause his career.
Deportivo Cali, clasp with gold clasp
– On the last day, and looking to finish in the top positions, the team finished the first round at home against Cali. It ended up being a walk (5-1) with scores from Riascos, Del Valle x2, Mosquera and Huérfano.
+ Seeking to sentence the pass to the second phase, the ‘Ambassador’ defeated the sugar team by a comfortable 3-1. The annotations were authored by Uribe, Mackalister and Arango.
Final rebound
– In 2017, when the situation improved, Millos entered the group of 8 and did not leave anymore. Such was the mental clean and jerk that he ended up being seeded, finishing in the fourth box with 36 points and +12 in goal difference.
+ In this 2021, the rebound also occurred in the last dates with a certain entry to the final octagonal. The excellent results allowed the capital team to be third (seeded) with 33 points and +7.
America in finals and Pascual Guerrero as a fort
– In the star’s 15th year, Russo and his group faced a newly promoted Scarlet squad in the semifinals. The first leg, played at Pascual, ended with a blue victory by 1-2 (goals from Del Valle and Silva). The return, suffered excessively, ended with parity at zero.
+ Looking for the consecration 16, those of Gamero faced the ‘Mechita’ in the quarterfinals. The first match, played in the capital of Valle del Cauca, was also for the visitors by 1-2 (goals from Uribe and Arango) and the second, played in Ibagué, was also a 0-0 draw.
Youth on the rise
– Millionaires at that time began their work to give opportunity to the minor divisions. The great discovery was Harold Santiago Mosquera, who earned the title and the quick move abroad (MLS). Likewise, Andrés Felipe Román and Omar Bertel took their first steps.
+ The season of the homegrown players. Many great discoveries such as Juan Moreno, Andrés Llinás, Kliver Moreno, Juan Camilo García, Emerson Rodríguez, Édgar Guerra and Diego Abadía. As well as, Ricardo Rosales, Jorge Rengifo and Yuber Quiñones gave their first samples of talent.
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