He squared accounts. Junior put on overalls, took out the hierarchy and recovered in Ibagué against Tolima what he had lost in Barranquilla by drawing 1-1 against Chicó. With a three-finger goal from Léider Berrío, the ‘Sharks’ won 1-0, this Sunday, at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium, on matchday 14 of Liga I 2023.
The man from Córdoba, who has not had a right walk with the red and white jersey, came on in place of Vladimir Hernández at minute 79, and 120 seconds later he was celebrating the goal that ended up making the difference.
Berrío received at the edge of the area and without feints fired a shot with the outer edge of his right foot. The ball hit Christian Vargas’s right-hand post and entered. Three golden points in the fight to enter the semifinal home runs.
Junior did not give a recital on the Murillo Toro pitch, but he played tuned, organized, serious, combative and competitive against a Tolima that only came with real danger in the agony of the game, in the midst of his dedication and despair to try to equalize. There was a rain of balls in which Federico Andueza took out his umbrella and Jefferson Martínez remained waterproof.
In the initial stage there were more emotions in the midfield than in the areas. Junior controlled the local and kept the ball for long periods of time, but without going deep, without doing damage.
Atletico defenders and midfielders put the ball into circulation in their own half, without eagerness or notable offensive ambitions. He passed half the court sporadically. The full-backs remained, most of the time, anchored in their zone and in the marking work, without supporting the timid attack attempts.
Vladimir Hernández was lost and Fredy Hinestroza unproductive, while ‘Cariaco’ was the spark that kept the hope of an away goal burning.
Carlos Bacca, after a subtle and elegant touch from the Venezuelan after a pass from Andueza, had the best option to score. However, after his excellent feint to elude a defender, his powerful kick lacked more location to overcome a well-positioned Christian Vargas. The goalkeeper interposed his gloves and drowned out the long-awaited cry of the porteño.
Tolima, despite having the encouragement of his audience, caused few problems and scares in Jefferson Martínez’s cabin.
At the break, Hernán Darío Gómez replaced the youthful Jhon Vélez, who was doing a good job, but, already with a warning, was on the verge of expulsion. The referee Wílmar Roldán perhaps forgave him in a shot similar to the one that earned him the first yellow card.
Junior improved in his intentions to look for the rival goal and prowled the edge of the red wine area more frequently, even Bacca had the goal in a half volley that lacked forcefulness.
The attack was still missing more salt and spiciness to give flavor to the ‘Bolillo’ proposal. The ‘Cariaco’ pepper was not enough, as it ran out with the passing of the minutes. Fortunately, Léider Berrío came on inspired and sealed the long-awaited victory, which Caicedo almost thwarted with a header that narrowly missed. Ufff!… Good that Berrío!
MINUTE BY MINUTE
FIRST TIME
22. Pass by Andueza that ‘Cariaco’ deepens with a subtle and showy touch. Bacca takes the ball, eludes a defender with a feint and shoots powerfully. Vargas rejects with his gloves.
36. A comfortable kick from Stefano Arango that passed near the upper left corner of Martínez.
44. Diego Herazo’s free kick that whizzed past the shark goalkeeper’s left post.
SECOND TIME
56. Good touch from Junior and a perfect pass from Vladimir that Bacca finishes off with a failed half volley. He didn’t fully hit the ball.
2023-04-17 02:54:00
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