First ‘end’. First of five that Junior has left on the calendar to seek classification for the semi-finals of League II-2022.
There is little margin for error —very little!—, so Junior has today, against Bucaramanga, at the Alfonso López, almost the obligation to add —one by one or three; hopefully it will be a triumph—to continue in the fight for a place in that ‘group of eight’ that will be part of the ‘end of the year party’, where the second star of the year will be in dispute.
Those directed by Julio Comesaña arrive at this duel ‘alive and kicking’. Although there was a point in the championship where the ‘Shark’ was badly injured and with few chances of life, the last two wins —and some third-party results— have given him a new look, leaving him there, three points behind eighth place, that today occupies Once Caldas, with 25 units.
Winning in the ‘City of Parks’ would be a blow to the table. Not only do you steal three points from a direct rival —Bucaramanga has the same 21 points as the rojiblancos—, but you also send a clear message to the rest of the competitors for this final stretch of the season.
Drawing works, but it keeps you there, walking on that thin line that divides success from failure, while a defeat does not kill —at least mathematically—, but it does leave a mortal wound, that with the days —and the next results— it could get worse.
Julio Comesaña is clear about that and that is why he will use what he considers to benefit the team today. The Colombian-Uruguayan coach will stop at the Alfonso López stadium with the same team —or 90% of it— that came from defeating Deportivo Cali at the ‘Metro’, and which incidentally is the same base that has been triumphing, due to the minimal difference and leaving the goal at zero, in the last three games, between Liga II and Copa Colombia.
The only doubt, it seems, is who will command the attack, whether Carmelo Valencia will be back, starting against the sugar producers, or Carlos Bacca, who against the Verdiblancos started on the bench, but in the end ended up giving Junior the long-suffering victory. with a goal.
For the rest, the same, with Viera in the bow; Walmer Pacheco, Dany Rosero, José Ortíz and Edwin Velasco in defense. Didier Moreno and Yeison Gordillo in the middle, supporting the creatives Sambueza, ‘Cariaco’ and Edwuin Cetré.
Atlético Bucaramanga comes to this duel beaten by their last loss at home against the Águilas, which ended a streak of six games without losing —the last three keeping a clean sheet—, where they accumulated three wins and three draws.
Those led by Armando ‘Piripi’ Osma cling to the scoring power of striker Dayro Moreno, who has accumulated four games without scoring.
Last duels. The balance of the last duels between Bucaramanga and Junior at the Alfonso López stadium is one win per side and three draws.
The last victory of the rojiblancos in the ‘Ciudad Bonita’, by League, dates back to October 30, 2017, when they won 3-1, with goals from Uruguayan Matías Mier, Juan Sebastián Herrera and Sebastián Hernández.
In 2019, the Tiburón managed to celebrate in the Canarian fort, but it was for the Cup, when they met on August 15 in the round of 16 phase. It was a 2-1 victory, with goals from Teófilo Gutiérrez and Edwuin Cetré.
Today’s game, corresponding to matchday 16 of the BetPlay II-2022 League, will start at 7:40 pm Referee Jhon Alexander Ospina directs and broadcasts the Win Sports+ channel.
