Everything is ready in Luanco to receive its gladiators today at 5:00 p.m. On the one hand, the blue and white army led by Emilio Cañedo. On the other, the marine fighters commanded by Manel Menéndez. Miramar will pass sentence in a derby between Avilés and Marino that promises strong emotions. Both teams arrive in high places, wanting victory after their latest setbacks, so achieving the three points seems key to continue fighting for their aspirations.
César García and Luis Nuño know first-hand what is military within those two armies. Both wore their rival’s shirt and today they meet in the Luanquín field. “I am from Avilés and these derbies always make you more motivated,” acknowledges Nuño, Marino’s forward, something that García, born in the Quirinal and Avilés winger, confirms. “These types of matches are always exciting. We are close and there are many mixed feelings,” admits the winger.
Luis Nuño, trained in the Oviedo youth academy, wore the blue and white colors during the 18/19 season. “It was one of the worst years of my life,” the footballer frankly admits. The man from Aviles, who played for Suárez Puerta under José María Tejero, lived through a nightmare that year. “I have a bad memory, really. We struggled all year not to go down and it was horrible,” confesses the sailor, who now welcomes the good moment of his former team. “It’s nice to see the city devoted to Avilés after being in the shadows for so long, for them it’s a luxury,” he says.
“El Marino has always been, and is, an exemplary and familiar club,” says César García, who only has words of affection to talk about his former team. “It is an ideal club to re-emerge as a player,” he adds. He is an example of this. After being ruled out of the Sporting youth academy at the last minute, the winger had a great year defending the Mareo colours, which once again opened the doors of Mareo and even the rojiblanco first team. “Here as a player they treat you great and that’s how things turn out well. I will always be grateful to Marino”, affirms the blue and white.
Both agree when it comes to talking about the regional derby. “It’s going to be a very even game, like all derbies. The small details will make the difference,” both players predict, who, despite their shyness in their analysis, want to win no matter what. “We are missing three points to already have practically certified permanence. We want to add 43 as soon as possible and if it is against Avilés, the better,” says Nuño, something that García rebuts. “Nothing, nothing. Today let Avilés win and from this Sunday let Marino win all his games,” replies the blue and white, who hopes to see Marino in the play-off positions sooner rather than later.
Of course, the two footballers dare to make their cheer for the regional derby. “I have it clear, 3-0 for Marino”, jokes Luis Nuño. Garcia, for his part, sweeps for home. “0-1”, says the Avilesino, who when asked if that solitary goal would be his, confesses: “I wish, because I want to score, but I wouldn’t celebrate it”. Luis Nuño, for his part, does not hide. “I’m going to celebrate, you never know when the last goal will be,” he joked.
And after the confrontation prior to the great duel, Nuño and García cannot hide the good vibes that exist between the two. With questions about their last games and training, they say goodbye before fighting in a duel that promises to be full of emotions. The Miramar field will pass sentence.