Atlético Nacional achieved its first victory in the I-2022 League against Junior de Barranquilla, in front of 31,098 spectators and showing improvement compared to what was shown in his debut against Cortuluá. Daniel Mantilla was one of the most important players in the game, not only because of the goal he scored, but also because of the volume of offensive play he generated from the right wing. The man from Santander spoke at a press conference about this moment in his career and how happy he feels to be with the Purslane
“The key is to be happy, from the first day I arrived here, when they told me I was going to be at Atlético Nacional, happiness was absolute. Obviously, from the first day I arrived, the atmosphere that we live in the group is incredible, how my teammates, the coaching staff received me. That allows one to work one hundred percent and I’ve always said that, working hard, football always bears fruit. The teacher (Alejandro Restrepo) told me at halftime that football was going to give me that moment of the goal and in the second half it happened. I hope to continue working in this way, to continue contributing to the team”, highlighted the former Leones, Patriotas and La Equidad player.
Regarding the goal, Mantilla explained that “I am very happy to be able to score, it was something I wanted, something I had always envisioned, being able to debut at the Atanasio with all the fans and being able to score, it was something I had always wanted. Both in this and in the previous game, I had chances to score, I didn’t have the calm to finish. At halftime they talked to me, they told me to be calm, that I was going to have a chance to score and to be prepared, to forget the others. I was given the opportunity to score at Atanasio, with the people, it is very important to contribute to the team”.
But Daniel is not satisfied, the player has a strong mentality and goes for more with the green team. “I know that I have to improve in many aspects, not only in the handling of my left leg. In every game, as a player, you have to make decisions, especially in the last third of the pitch and many times I haven’t been able to make the best decision. I’ve been doing things well, but we have to improve and keep working”.
With his goal, Daniel Mantilla became the 134th Atlético Nacional player to score a goal against Junior. (Data from Javier Danilo Correa), Finally, Matilla spoke about Alexander Mejía, a player who returned to the team to be a benchmark. “Alexander (Mejía) is a leader, on and off the pitch. In matches, but also in training, in concentrations, he is always willing to help advise. He is an important person within the group, who as a young player always takes him as a reference, both him and all the experienced players in the team, who help you grow, keep improving, learning. We hope to continue believing in the idea that this team has, continue working and achieving good results”.
According to Colombia Analytics (on twitter: @Colanalytics) it was indicated that Daniel Mantilla against Junior was the second player of the match in duels won with seven, for 78 percent, he made two correct tackles, made six recoveries, received two fouls, his effectiveness in passing was 71 per cent of 20 passes made, made two shots on goal, one of which was a goal, and made a key pass.
Juan Camilo Alvarez Serrano
FUTBOLRED Correspondent
Medellin
En Twitter: @juanchoserran8
