“Mucha gente ha hablado aquí del equipo de los viejos, y yo creo que es todo lo contrario,” said Atlético Nacional manager Lucas González after his side defeated Junior 3-1 on Wednesday in a postponed fixture of the Liga BetPlay II-2026 season. “Pero resulta que cuando se juntan los viejos, nos divertimos todos.”
The victory at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot propelled Atlético Nacional to second place in the league standings with 22 points, just two behind leaders América. While the scoreline secured vital points for the Medellín club, the main talking point centered on a brief 13-minute spell when 35-year-old playmaker James Rodríguez and 33-year-old midfielder Edwin Cardona shared the pitch for the first time since Rodríguez joined the club.
How James and Cardona Sparked a Late-Game Spectacle
Rodríguez delivered a standout performance, earning applause from supporters when he was substituted in the 75th minute. Earlier in the contest, he provided the assist for Andrés Román’s second-goal conversion that helped put Nacional in control against the defending back-to-back champions from Barranquilla.
The defining moment of the partnership arrived in the 68th minute, shortly after Cardona entered the match as a 62nd-minute substitute. Following a Junior clearance, Cardona collected the ball, dribbled past a defender with close control, and slipped a pass through the legs of another opponent to find Rodríguez. Joined by Argentine midfielder Elías Cabrera, the two veterans strung together a sequence of five consecutive short passes that drew chants of “ole” from the stands before Fabián Ángel brought down Rodríguez to halt the sequence.
The short sequence offered supporters a glimpse of how two experienced creators could dictate tempo and unlock tight defenses. Junior, the reigning two-time tournament champion, struggled to regain possession during the passage of play and currently sits 16th in the table with nine points.
Manager Lucas González Defends the Squad’s Experience
Speaking after the final whistle, González addressed persistent outside criticism regarding the age profile of several senior members in his squad. The manager argued that technical quality and game intelligence outweigh chronological age when managing possession against opponents.
“Cuando nosotros podamos tener por momentos, o en partidos completos, a James, Edwin, Elías, Campuzano o Mateus, será muy difícil que nos quiten la pelota y, seguramente, disfrutaré yo más, y sé que los chicos también lo harán,” González stated.
While acknowledging the potential for both playmakers to feature together more frequently, González emphasized that securing victories remains the primary objective ahead of stylistic preferences. Each fixture demands specific tactical adjustments, the manager noted, though controlling the ball through experienced feet naturally aligns with winning matches and entertaining supporters.
Upcoming Fixture at the Atanasio Girardot
Atlético Nacional returns to league action on Wednesday, October 7, hosting Deportes Tolima at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. local time.
