The confrontation between two old acquaintances, the coaches Alejandro Restrepo and Paulo Autuori, gives a special seasoning to the match that Deportivo Pereira and Atlético Nacional will star this Sunday (4:05 pm), at the Hernán Ramírez Villegas stadium, on the 19th of Betplay League.
The Brazilian strategist, who recently assumed his position, was the one who invited his counterpart from Antioquia to work in the professional team, in his first step through the institution between November 2018 and May 2019.
Both have expressed respect for the work carried out by their colleague, but they will surely do everything to defeat him on this day, which becomes definitive for both teams.
“I know Professor Restrepo as much as he knows me, perhaps he a little more. It will be a pleasure to meet you”, said Autuori in the prelude to the engagement.
In fact, months ago the Brazilian strategist expressed in dialogue with this medium his admiration for the work his colleague did when he was in charge of the green cast, between June 2021 and February 2022.
“We were very close to him. I love that interaction that the first team had with the lower divisions, I believe that the life of a club is this, its youth academy. You have to have a very simple, delicate and strong look for these categories ”, expressed at the time the current technical director of the green in reference to Alejandro.
Nacional, which has just lost to Once Caldas (1-0) in Palogrande, in its most recent presentation, has the peace of mind to remain in the group of eight, with 28 units, but requires the three points in dispute to be able to ensure your classification. Otherwise, it will remain in suspense and will have to go out and look for it on the twentieth and last date of All Against All, in which it will receive La Equidad, the last weekend of this month, on a day and time to be defined.
Meanwhile, Pereira, who beat Millonarios in El Campín last Wednesday (0-1), also has 28 points and will face this commitment with the same rival need. “The League has become strange, having five or six teams with a difference of two points, but that also makes it attractive for the press and the fans, because the anxiety will continue until the last game. At Nacional we are focused on qualifying for this match, counting on the fact that 31 points will help us to be safe in the group of eight”, said Andrés Andrade.
The King of Cups would have no news in its owner, while the Matecaña team will not be able to count on Leider Berrío, who reached five yellow cards and will have to pay a penalty date. In his place would be Maicol Medina
