Sergi, an Escobar in Cali

In 1989, Atlético Nacional became the first Colombian club to win a Copa Libertadores. A championship involved in controversy, since although there is no evidence that the tournament was rigged, various sources confirm that both Olimpia, the rival of the purslane in the final, and the refereeing team were threatened by the Medellín Cartel, an organization led by Pablo Escobar. Sergi Escobar (Almassora, 1975) has nothing to do with Pablo, who used football in Medellín to launder money obtained from drug trafficking, but it is still curious that, 30 years after that disputed Copa Libertadores, the Spanish ended up defending the colors of América de Cali, with whom Atlético Nacional has maintained a strong rivalry since the 1980s. “I thought that my last name would influence more in everyday life, but I wear it normally because there are many 'Escobares' here. problems are at the airports. They always register me, “says Sergi, assistant to Argentine Juan Cruz, after living his first Clásico in Medellín.

The first match between Atlético Nacional and América de Cali dates from 1948, but it was not until the 1980s when, due to their continuous confrontations in international tournaments, the rivalry began to reach Classic dyes. A Classic that Sergi Escobar experienced for the first time last weekend, when America visited Medellín and, against all odds, managed to end 11 years in which Atanasio Girardot had become an impregnable bastion. “We left with a bittersweet taste because we won 2-0 in the 80th minute and defeating Atlético Nacional is very important for all the fans in America, but if they told us before the game that we were going to draw, we would have considered it a great result. More than a decade that we did not get anything positive from the Nacional field, “determines Escobar, who missed the public in the stands:” It was one of those days when the field is filled to the top, but we played behind closed doors. We can only enter the templates and television. “

After promoting Castellón to Second Division B and not being able to enjoy the category, Sergi Escobar longed for an experience like the one he is enjoying in Colombia. Through Alvaro Rius, current sports director of America and, like Escobar, a former Castellón player, Sergi met Juan Cruz, who called him up when he was elected to the Red Devils bench. “If the pandemic had not occurred, we would not have come because the club has just become league champion with Alexandre Guimaraes. But the lack of income forced them to reduce the budget and we took the opportunity. We are talking about Colombia, one of the great soccer powers. of America “, details Escobar, who hopes to extend his adventure” to be able to enjoy the public in the stands. ” “The fans in America are tremendous. In all the cities of Colombia there are fans waiting for us.”

In the absence of five days for the completion of the Opening, América de Cali is fifth and, except for hecatomb, will play the home run prior to the play-off for the title. Sergi Escobar's team connects six games without losing and next Thursday will visit Porto Alegre to face Gremio in the Copa Libertadores. “We fell into the group of death, with two Brazilian teams whose budget is 10 times greater than ours and Unión Católica, the Chilean champion. We were excited to pass, but we will fight to be third to fall to the South American Cup, which it is also a very nice competition. ” Sergi Escobar is “happy”, but he misses a family from which almost 9,000 kilometers separate him: “A few days ago my second son was born and I couldn't be there to see him. It was hard to leave my wife and my other child, who is seven years old, in Spain. It is a sacrifice that I am making to remain linked to football. Sometimes you have to go outside so that you are valued more at home. “