2023-09-28 16:13:00
At the end of yesterday’s match, a mix of feelings anchored the minds of us Coloradoans. First, that we could have won. Secondly, that the draw, analyzing coldly, was a great result considering that – in the eyes of the rest of the country, the press and, amazingly, some misfits from our own fans – we looked like the ‘ugly duckling’ of the Copa Libertadores semi-final of America 2023.
Even so, however, in well more than half the match we played better or on equal terms, to the helplessness of many alienated people out there. And if the draw, in the end, continues to look like a disappointment, I think that the Boss up there has a plan drawn up for Internacional: well, if we don’t know how to win without having the knife in our teeth and the rope taut, there’s no other alternative for us. All that’s left next week is to leave life on the field.
Our eleven trusted men who will be on the field will have to leave life on the field on October 4th. And it seems to me that they are ready to do that.
In 2006, I had not only returned to live in the Capital, months before, but also resumed my always mystical relationship with Beira Rio. It made it easier for me to live in an apartment there in Getúlio, because with a good walk I could easily find myself with the Giant and the return was also easier for me. If it is true that the team in the first phase seemed to be limping, after all, our relationship with the Libertadores was not a lasting one – if not a mere old flirtation, the course of the competition showed that that team, above all, wanted to win the competition. Just like our coach.
And an example of this is that that blow to Gauchão didn’t shake us, nor did the defeat to the Ecuadorian team – even with two months of distress between one game and the next. In the semi-finals, coincidentally, we also drew in the first leg against a team that was favorite – if not because of its technical quality (although it was a good team) but because it was the club whose then president of Conmebol I supported. Just like it is now, it was “all against us” even back then.
But we all know what the result was.
In that return game, in a packed Beira Rio and I was at the socials of the unforgettable old Beira Rio, everyone stood up during the 90 minutes because no one risked missing a single move; that team that knew it wanted to win and how it should do it, knew how to play the game, learned about the pragmatism of facing decisions in the Libertadores da América: hit, hit, suffered, hit… and the ball, finally, found shelter in the warm body of the networks. Twice, with Alex and Fernandão – in a left-footed goal that was never his strong suit.
But it was meant to be and when it is meant to be we all know that it will be. And we all know what the result was.
I will not dress insolence to the point of wanting to compare then with now. The story of 2006 has already been told, and with gallantry. As of now, the actors here still need to draw lines, go beyond the commas and put a period and a star at the end. However, as we have not won without a knife in our teeth and a tight rope, we have also not achieved happiness without there being a mystique behind Colorado that will once again have to be pushed by its people.
And that’s why I decided that I’m going to keep believing. We will set the city on fire, we will echo throughout an entire nation. The stage will be set so that our current actors know how to demarcate their glory in this story of battles. The mystique of old Beira Rio will be present and will not abandon us…
I chose to continue believing. And may Our Lady of Caravaggio pray for us and for Sport Club Internacional even more!
Yes, we will be…
SHORTS
– Eduardo Coudet was not happy in his journey of substitutions and reading the game, but he will inevitably be the same in the next match. I don’t doubt our favorite crazy Argentine;
– In general terms, we played with our heads held high and came out of Maracanã much more than alive;
– We failed again with the aerial ball, however, and it’s time for that to end once and for all;
– Renê, who was already praised here yesterday, made a big mistake, unforgivable. But then he participated in both goals, the first with an assist, which only shows us that football has not lost its magic of redemption;
– But we can’t lose so many goals. The warm body of the net is the sensation that the player needs to want to feel and experience, while the fans deserve to win so much;
– I repeat once again: we now need to align ourselves with the national championship. Win the next game no matter what;
– Not to forget: “One more battle. And we continue with the illusion of going all out. Constantly remember, the illusion of going all out, of playing for the people we love… let’s play for them, for our loved ones…” – Coudet, Male.
QUESTION
Do you still believe with me, Colorada Nation?
Let’s continue to believe, my Colorado People. It’s Inter!
PACHECO
#CONTINUE #BELIEVED #RED #BLOG