Atlético Nacional defeated 1-0 to Envigado at the Atanasio Girardot stadium, with the first goal of Argentine Juan Bauzá wearing the Verdolaga shirt. The result allows the team to settle in the league privilege group, but the football shown left a feeling of vacuum among those who attended the stands and those who saw it on television.
The game seemed served for a comfortable win. Envigado suffered two expulsions in the first part: Didier Dawson and William Hurtado left before the break, leaving the orange team with nine men. However, Nacional never managed to translate that large numerical superiority into the scoreboard. Bauzá’s goal, more fruit of his impetus and smell than from a collective construction, ended up being the only difference.
The visiting team, full of young people, multiplied efforts on the court. They ran, closed and resisted with an admirable order to prevent the difference from expanding. In front of them, Nacional was slow, flat, without surprise. Only Marlos Moreno tried to give another air to the game with gambetas and speed, but his flashes were insufficient to break the folding resistance.
From the technical line, Javier Gandolfi did not hide his disagreement. The Argentine coach gestured, claimed and asked for greater intensity, but did not find solutions from the bank. In fact, one of his decisions generated discomfort in the tribune: he took Juan Bauzá, author of the goal and who had shown dynamics and mobility, to entry Edwin Cardona. The creative had some risk auctions, but did not contribute more than what the Argentine had been delivering, which increased the nonconformity of the fans. However, the coach explained at the press conference that he did the substitution because Bauzá had a small muscle fatigue. “I would have loved to continue, but the idea is not to risk,” he said.
The irregularity of the team has been a seal in the Gandolfi process. Just a few days ago, Nacional had thrashed Quindío 4-0 in the first leg of the Eighth of the Betplay Cup, and continuity was expected in performance. However, before Envigado, the Dubitative version appeared again, the one that entangles the advances and frustrates his fans.
The other concern left by the game was the departure of Jorman Campuzano. The midfielder, a key piece in the balance of the equipment, ended with discomfort in the right ankle and was seen in the bank with ice, waiting for medical exams that determine gravity.
The triumph leaves Nacional among the four best in the League, behind Junior and with Dim and Tolima. Even so, doubts persist. The team wins, but does not convince, and the demand of the fans remains latent.
The green will have to pass the page quickly. This Wednesday will visit Quindío (7:45 pm) in the return of the eighths of the Betplay Cup, with the tranquility of 4-0 in the first leg. Then the classic will assume against Independiente Medellín on Sunday (6:20 pm), in a duel that will test its true level.
Relive here the minute by minute of this party:
