Gio Alone won’t soothe Junior’s woes.

By: Lugo | January 9th, 2008

So far, Junior has made some impressive moves toward improving the squad in adding Dumar Rueda and Alex Del Castillo solidifying their defensive midfield with a Mauricio Serna-esque player (Rueda) and a Freddy Rincón-esque player (Del Castillo). They proved themselves as a worthy partnership that collaborated greatly in both destructing and constructing. And after securing this efficient pair, Junior’s owners and executives went for the cherry in the pie by trying to lure 31-year-old Colo-Colo’s fantasista Giovanni Hernández also known in his beginning as el principe and el niño del millón de dolares although this latter nickname has often brought him more ridicule than accolades. This because of the player’s tendency, throughout his career, to shy away on keen games against strong opposition.

The much heralded Gio, who was even announced by the new mayor Alex Char whose family owns the team, remains in the center of a tug-of-war between Colo-Colo and the player’s manager because the Chilean team claims they gave Gio a 4-year deal and he’s only done one. I won’t get into the rest of the story because it has nothing to do with Junior but the important part is that Junior gave a week for this whole mess to be cleared up or Gio will not be suiting at the Metropolitano.

But even if he does indeed come to Barranquilla, the team still has gaps to fill if coach Santiago Escobar (big brother to the late Andrés) wants to build a successful challenge for the Copa Mustang title, a league so enigmatic that small teams are often playing the finals like it happened with La Equidad this year.

So let’s review the status of the squad:

-On goal, Junior has a decent netter in Didier Muñoz whom this year was able to take over from decaying Prono Velázquez but whose failure in Bogotá when keeping for Millonarios still hangs over his head. Back-up Carlos Perez has been a longstanding promise but it seems the Junior jersey is a little too heavy for him. However, if he manages to sit down Muñoz he will prove himself as a competent keeper.

-The right back position welcomes back one of the beloved children of Barranquilla in Hayder Palacio. Although his stint at Deportivo Cali was considered a failure by many, I’m sure he still has some of that offensive exuberance that pumped him up for the NT when Rueda was the coach. He will be battling for a place with his former understudy (and almost name-sake) Jaider Romero but he is expected to start.

-The central defending couple is the first big void of the squad. Seasoned veteran Hilario Cuenú is not enough warranty especially since he will be surrounded by youngsters Gabriel Martinez, John Valencia et al. It would be a different story if Junior hadn’t miss out to Santa Fe in getting Venezuelan Leonel Vielma. But I believe “El Sachi” is still looking for a pair of defenders -one of them a foreigner- and he really needs them.
-On the left side Cesar Fawcett will have yet another season to prove he is the real deal and has what it takes to start at Junior and even competing for the NT. The advantage that Fawcett has is that his position is pretty much undisputed. Not because he’s the best Junior can get but because it’s quite a daunting task to try to find an acceptable left back in Colombian soccer.

-As I said before, the D-mid is now the most solid part of Junior. Alongside Rueda and Del Castillo, Casañas and Nico Torres are two vital complements and the youngster Florez continues on the rise.

-Sans Gio, the team’s creative efforts will lie upon the shoulders of Emerson “Piojo” Acuña, a player adored by the Metropolitano faithful but that has probably been too pampered and spoiled thus not producing accordingly. But Acuña is not a number 10, his preferred role is as a supporting striker so besides youngster Diego Causado, who hasn’t played much minutes under previous administrations and may not be ready yet to step up and wear the number 10 jersey. Leiner Rolong could also have a chance, but he already knows, as everybody else, that he will never be the team’s number 10. So failure to bring Gio or another highly-reputed fantasista (Whether Colombian or not) will result in not only in a huge disappointment among the crowd, but the team’s overall offensive potential to be thwarted.

- Up front, Junior has developed a healthy habit of keeping several options and this year will not be the exception with Acuña himself, “Babilla” (Gator) Díaz, Edwards Jiménez, Herly Alcazar, Alfredo Padilla, Teófilo Gutierrez, a foreign striker and provably even another Colombian striker. The good part about this is that you have to find at least one among these who will score consistently. And you will be well covered for injuries and bookings. The bad part is that those who won’t play will start making funny faces, and egos may clash in the dressing room. Luckily for Junior this year they have a no-nonsense coach who won’t take crap from anybody. Sachi Escobar rather left Once Caldas than bowing down to that team’s main Primma Donna: Dayro Moreno. That’s the king of coach that Junior needs.