Pequeño Nicolás’s surreal Deportivo Guadalajara debut includes wrong dressing room and shootout relief | OneFootball

With president Carlos Ávila in hospital and partner Alexandro Rovirosa in London, Francisco Nicolás fronted Deportivo Guadalajara at his first official match, a chaotic baptism that ultimately ended in relief.

"It was my first time and, thank God, no misfire," he said, reflecting on a night that veered from farce to release, he told Marca.

His arrival sparked a muddle. After being directed inside, he entered a dressing room, greeted bare-chested players, asked about injuries and spoke with staff. Only when he asked for Guadalajara’s sporting director, and spotted a Toledo shirt, did he realise he was in the rivals’ room.

He then mixed with both sets of fans, posing for photos in the directors’ box, around the ground and by the team buses. During the game he sat alongside the home president, who said that if he had to lose, he would rather it be to Guadalajara.

On the pitch, Guadalajara had the clearer first-half chances, with Miguélez and Morillo close. After the break Toledo improved and Joselu Cano hit the post. In the shootout Toledo scored two and Guadalajara three, Christian Gómez saving two.

"My hands and my head were sweating," he admitted, not wanting his debut to end in defeat. Afterwards he dined with family, drove home to the club anthem and struggled to sleep as the adrenaline ebbed.

He has already met coach Miguel Flaño and the next test comes against Quintanar del Rey in the Copa Federación, a path that can open the door to the Copa del Rey. "Fun, entertaining and very hard going. All the things you think cannot happen at once, happen to you."

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”