‘Pole’ in focus, boss on the brink: Medellín lowdown, Fla rival | OneFootball

Colombian journalist Daniel Bello spoke with Coluna do Fla and shared details about Independiente Medellín (COL)

Flamengo is riding high after winning the derby against Fluminense. On the other hand, Mengão’s opponent in the Libertadores is going through a completely opposite situation. Thursday’s (16) rival, Independiente Medellín (COL), is coming off a 3-2 loss to archrival Atlético Nacional (COL) on Saturday (11). To learn a little more about what the Rubro-Negro side will face at the Maracanã, Coluna spoke with Colombian journalist Daniel Bello, from the website ‘El Espectador’.

The reporter suggested that Flamengo keep an eye on three names, but one stands out: Francisco Fydriszewski, an Argentine with Polish nationality. In addition, Bello pointed out that coach Alejandro Restrepo has only kept his job because of the team’s performance in the Libertadores, as the side managed to eliminate two opponents in the preliminary stage. In the Colombian league, Independiente Medellín is only 14th out of 20 teams.

“What happened in the Colombian league is a double blow. On one hand, losing to your biggest rival always has an emotional impact and, on top of that, the team now has no margin for error in the domestic tournament. It’s also worth remembering that the team reached two local finals last year, so the drop in performance is evident. If Alejandro Restrepo hadn’t taken the team to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, it seems to me he would already have been fired,” Bello said.

HOW DID INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN DO IN THE LIBERTADORES PRELIMINARY STAGE?

Independiente Medellín came through the preliminary stage unbeaten. First against Liverpool (URU), the Colombians won 2-1 in Uruguay and then held on for a 0-0 draw at home. Later, against Juventud (URU), they drew 1-1 in Montevideo and won 2-1 as the home side. The main standouts across both ties were the ‘Pole’ Francisco Fydriszewski and Colombian Hayen Palacios, with two goals each.

“In my opinion, the team’s standouts are the wing-backs: Frank Fabra and Hayen Palacios. In the knockout ties against Liverpool and Juventud, they were decisive with assists and goals. They are the signings who needed the least time to make an impact on the team. Fabra, on top of that, has a lot of experience. I’d also say the team has a direct style of play that makes them offensive even when they don’t have the ball,” Bello commented.

“Because of their experience and what they showed in the preliminary rounds of the 2026 Copa Libertadores, I would highlight Frank Fabra. Francisco Fydriszewski also deserves special mention; he still hasn’t scored in the Colombian league this year, but he did score against Liverpool and Juventud. Halam Loboa, a holding midfielder, is one of the academy’s latest gems and a player to watch,” the journalist added.

HOW DOES INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN PLAY AND WHAT IS ITS WEAK POINT?

If the wing-backs and Fydriszewski deserve Flamengo’s attention, the Rubro-Negro can exploit Independiente Medellín’s defensive system. In 15 Colombian league matches, the team has conceded 22 goals — an average of more than one per game. On Saturday (11) alone, in the derby, they let in three.

“The main problem is the defense. In 20 matches played this year — across all competitions — they have kept a clean sheet only three times. At first, Alejandro Restrepo relied on solidity and that’s why he almost always used three center-backs, but neither the defense nor the goalkeeper has inspired confidence this semester,” Bello analyzed.

“Restrepo likes to play in a 3-5-2, although in the last few games he has used a 4-4-2. In his system, the wing-backs are fundamental. The coach wants them to contribute both defensively and offensively. They’re not as attack-minded as Brazilian full-backs, who prioritize going forward more. Up front, there is a classic center-forward and another player who operates more as an attacking midfielder,” he added.

WHAT CHANGED AT INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN FROM 2025 TO 2026?

Last year, as Daniel Bello pointed out, Independiente Medellín reached two local finals. In the Colombian Apertura, played in the first half of the year, the team finished as runner-up, losing the title match to Independiente Santa Fe (COL). In the Colombian Cup, Atlético Nacional came out on top in the final against Flamengo’s next opponent. Why is a team that reached two finals now only 14th in the Colombian league?

“Two forwards who had regular playing time last year left: Luis Sandoval (now at Deportes Tolima-COL, also qualified for the Libertadores) and Brayan León (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa). In midfield there was Jaime Alvarado (Once Caldas-COL) and on the right flank, Jherson Mosquera (Tolima). Most of them left because their cycles at the club had come to an end,” Bello explained.

WHEN IS FLAMENGO VS INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN?

The ball starts rolling for Flamengo and Independiente Medellín at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time on Thursday (16), at the Maracanã. The Rubro-Negro side opened with a 2-0 win over Cusco (PER) away from home. The Colombians, meanwhile, drew 1-1 at home with Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG).

OTHER POINTS FROM THE INTERVIEW?DUE TO THE TERRIBLE LEAGUE FORM, HAS THE LIBERTADORES BECOME THE PRIORITY?

“Here in Colombia, to become champion this semester you have to finish among the top eight in the all-play-all stage. Medellín can still reach those spots, but the situation is very difficult. Relegation is a highly unlikely scenario, mainly because there are teams in worse shape and, since here the average performance over the last three seasons is used, there is no reason for concern in that sense. Given the team’s difficult moment, it seems more logical to focus on the Libertadores, especially because a strong continental run (getting through the group stage) is more financially rewarding than winning the Colombian league.”

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN AT THE MARACANÃ?

“Getting any kind of result at the Maracanã would already be a good outcome. We’re talking about facing the reigning Copa Libertadores champion, the best team on the continent, with a squad made up of players who could play in Europe’s top leagues. A draw would be a moral victory for the team. A win, meanwhile, would be one of the most historic nights in the club’s international history.”

WHAT DO PEOPLE IN COLOMBIA KNOW ABOUT FLAMENGO?

“Flamengo is the team everyone wants to avoid in a draw, not just in Colombia. We have seen how the gap between the Brazilian league and the rest of South America keeps growing more and more. To me, the clearest example of that imbalance lies in Flamengo’s management and capacity. It is a giant in every sense, not only because of its titles, but also because of its massive fan base. We are a country of around 50 million people, and Flamengo alone has around 40 million supporters. It is colossal in terms of budget, signings, performances, and player development (Paquetá, Vini). There is a lot of respect and admiration for the club.”

WHY IS CARRASCAL NOT AN UNDISPUTED STARTER FOR THE COLOMBIAN NATIONAL TEAM?

“Carrascal is an excellent player, with a lot of talent, composure, vision, a good shot, and strong attacking presence. However, he still hasn’t had a standout performance for the national team. In terms of goals and assists, his numbers with the national side have come only in friendlies, not yet in important matches. On top of that, the direct competition is performing at a good level. Jhon Arias is one of the starters in (coach) Néstor Lorenzo’s system and has been one of the best in terms of collective function. Another rival for the spot would be James Rodríguez, who usually performs better for the national team even without consistency at club level — proof of that was his standout Copa América 2024, even without continuity at São Paulo. Now, since James has had rhythm issues this year, Carrascal may get more minutes.”

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