De Muner sizes up Colón clash: “Status wins you absolutely nothing” | OneFootball

Pablo De Muner, head coach of GodoyCruz, broke his silence in person on the Mendoza-based streaming show “Chequeo VAR”. In an in-depth conversation ahead of the crucial clash against Colón on matchday 29 of the Primera Nacional, the coach analyzed the magnitude of the match, his team’s current situation with eight rounds left, and the harsh reality of the division.

The host and panelists opened the debate about the psychological value of this matchday, asking whether it was the “match of the year” or a fixture with a completely different emotional tone.

The magnitude of Colón and its value as a “measuring stick”

When discussing whether this clash is worth more than others, De Muner nuanced the radio opinions but acknowledged the enormous weight surrounding El Sabalero:

Similarity to the promotion playoff:“There are matches that can be very similar to what you might already find, for example, in the playoff, in the fight for promotion. This is one of those matches along the way.”

His analysis of El Sabalero:“The magnitude: Colón is a team with a lot of history in the First Division, with a great coach and also a squad that was built to compete at the top.”

Making home advantage count:“At home, I think it’s a good measuring stick for us, and we’ll try to do everything possible to win.”

The emotional value and the Ferro precedent

The Godoy Cruz coach recalled a key message he gave his players after the recent win over Ferro Carril Oeste to rebuild collective confidence:

Winning mentality: “I told the squad after the win over Ferro, so they could truly believe it: Godoy Cruz beat Ferro in both matches, and today we’re eight points behind, with two completely different coaches, in two completely different moments.”

Believing in their own strengths:“Beating one of the best squads in the division carries emotional weight. It doesn’t define anything, but it does increase your belief in yourself, and that was something this squad had perhaps been lacking.”

The final stretch and the obligation to finish near the top

With eight rounds left until the end of the regular phase, De Muner made it clear that the club’s mathematical urgency does not allow them to drop points along the way:

No margin for error:“The last matches are not played the same way as the first ones. Unfortunately, we haven’t had any margin for a while now; for some time, we’ve been in a position where we have to win. Today you’re far from first place, 8 points back, so you simply have to win.”

The playoff objective:“We’re more firmly established in the group of 8. With Los Andes and Defensores de Belgrano drawing, we’re 10 points ahead of ninth place with 24 still in play. But it’s very important to finish as high up as possible because of the sporting advantage and home-field advantage.”

Maturity, setbacks, and respect for the division

To close, the coach reflected on the institution’s tough process of adapting to the promotion tournament after suffering relegation, and how past mistakes shaped the squad’s current reality:

A more mature squad:“I thought I could have gotten the team settled much faster than what we’re seeing today. Unfortunately, we dropped a lot of points because of small details. Those details, or those slaps in the face, are what shaped the team into being in this situation: it’s a more mature team, one that goes out to play and understands the different moments of the match.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.