The time has come for Junior de Barranquilla’s debut in 2022, seeking to aim high for the League and soon for the Copa Sudamericana. The arrival of the reinforcements for the shark team is just one blow on the table, of the many that the rojiblanco cast wants to give, seeking to meet expectations, taking into account that they are emerging as one of the favorite clubs to achieve.
Obligation or not, Juan Cruz’s men will have to know how to handle the pressure that already exists, without even stepping on the Metropolitano’s pitch, taking into account that the bench, the shirt and the Junior fans, they say, is one of those that generates the most pressure in the Colombian soccer. Even above the so-called largest in the country.
They already broke the market, with the names of Daniel Giraldo, Fernando Uribe, Ómar Albornoz, Yesus Cabrera and Nilson Castrillón. Not content with that, they gave and put the cherry on the cake, which is worth triple, even, much more for the fans of the Barranquilla team. The return of Miguel Ángel Borja leaves him, for many, as the best reinforcement in the League for 2022, on top of the arrival of Giovanni Moreno. And it is that the memory of the attacker is fresh, it did not take more than six months for his return to the club of which he is a confessed fan.
The alternatives are, now, the question is what the Junior coach’s approach will be like, taking into account the new ones and those who left. Many possible formations are raised, but there is one of the newcomers who can be the axis of the team, taking into account what he did with America.
In the stage with América, which he won as champion, the high pressure is remembered, seeking to force the error of his rival, with incisive players at that time such as Duván Vergara and Santiago Moreno, with the command of a player like Adrián Ramos. But, there is one who is today in Junior and was essential for the Argentine in the scheme.
This is the case of Yesus Cabrera, who is known to Juan Cruz, because he had it in America and was one of the most prominent, having a fundamental role, not only for having the ability to generate play, but also for being able to achieve long runs, easily becoming a mixed, also contributing to the balance and defensive phase. With the scarlet and Cruz Real, he had a total of 28 games between 2020 and 2021.
Ditta’s departure leaves a place to be disputed between Mera, Rosero and Arias, the first being the most optioned.
That would be the great novelty in the defensive zone, taking into account that the other center-back is shaping up to be Homer Martínez (who could play as a central midfielder, due to his versatility). The question would be whether it is Castrillón or Viafara on the side right. The midfielder area is the call to have great novelties, more focused on the attack.
For the ruffle area, there are quite a few options. Cabrera and Giraldo are shaping up to have the necessary back and forth, giving options in attack and defense. As head of the area, to be a third midfielder, there could be Moreno or Ángel.
There is something to choose from in attack, specifically on the left wing. Hinestroza is emerging as a starter, taking into account that Albornoz still has a sanction date. The “fight” (healthy) in the area between Borja and Uribe, seems to opt for Miguel Ángel.
Remembering what Cruz Real’s idea was in America and the tools he has today with Junior, he can form with a 4-3-3, turning into passages in 4-2-3-1. Viera is outlined; Castrillon, Martinez, Mera, Fuentes; Moreno, Giraldo, Cabrera; Gonzalez, Hinestroza, Borja.
Junior’s path will begin this Saturday, when they receive Patriotas at the Metropolitano, with the expectation of what it will be and the variants that Junior may have under the command of Juan Cruz Real.
