A year after joining the professional team, Tomás Ángel uncovered his cards. In a conversation he had with coach Alejandro Restrepo, he was encouraged to make a request with the illusion of starting to take flight at Atlético Nacional and contesting, in a more frontal way, the position with Jéfferson Duque and Ruyery Blanco.
“I’ve talked to the ‘teacher’ and I’ve told him that when I get the chance it’s in my natural position… to play as ‘9’. In the Selection it was seen. I wait calmly and eagerly because I am sure that (the opportunity) I am not going to waste it,” said the attacker.
Neither Guimarães nor Restrepo played it all for him, especially the second, who directed him in the minor categories. But that year without options he nuanced it with his role as the center forward of the Colombia Sub-19 National Team. in the Raúl Coloma Rivas Cup. He came out as a scorer with four decisive annotations for the title.
Enter the gaming circuit
In that ecosystem that has been created this season, with quality and important players on offense, the youth player has already seen himself participating, despite the fact that his last performance was on October 27, 2021.
“For my style of play, I see myself more in the middle, ‘9’ or false ‘9’ because there are players I can interact with, who have technique and know how to play. It would be a great advantage to play with Gio, with Jarlan, with Yeison (Guzmán) behind so they can put balls on me”, he commented.
From that talk with his coach, Ángel revealed that “respectfully, I told him that it is more than clear that I can perform there and give my best. I calmly wait for that opportunity and continue working to be at my best when it comes.”
Pursue trust and continuity
While his moment arrives, the attacker gave his vision of what he experienced in his first stage as a professional with just 362 minutes played and one goal.
“Last year was complex. I didn’t have much participation (in Nacional), but it was round with the National Team. There I was able to show that playing in my natural position I have what it takes”, affirmed the striker.
And he warned that he feels strong to assume a leading role in the Green: “I trust my talent, I have determination and my dreams are clear. I think that with confidence and a good rhythm of matches, I’m going to break it.”
Ángel analyzed that competition with the other attackers, one consolidated, captain and historical, and the other with the same desire to eat the world and experience in B.
“Everyone has their style and their way of contributing. I am a more collective player. I like to get out of my position sometimes, and that can change the style of play a bit and make the team play differently than it does with Ruyery or Duque,” said the ’21’ purslane, who was not called up for the match this Friday (8:10 pm) against Alianza Petrolera.
