Nacho Lago: At Colón, promotion is the only goal | OneFootball

Ignacio Lago, one of the longest-serving players in the Colón squad, spoke to the press about the tough year the club experienced, the "internal renewal" the group is undergoing, and the non-negotiable goal of achieving promotion to the First Division. The forward expressed his happiness about being able to undertake a full preseason after two years.

The need for a "change of mindset" after a difficult year

When asked if he considered himself an additional reinforcement for this season, Lago reflected on the need for a deep emotional and mental renewal within the team: "I don't know if a reinforcement, but obviously there is an internal renewal that I had to make because obviously we come from a very bad year and the truth is that if you dwell on that, it's a bit hard to get up."

The change in management and new faces have served as a necessary "reset" for the whole group: "Obviously seeing new faces, everything that was the change in management, all of that renews something internal, both externally as well, which motivates you to seek something different."

Lago admitted that the change in mentality should have occurred during the last tournament, but it wasn't achieved in time. Aware of how close they were to relegation, he sent a warning message: "It's harder when you're going through it, when you need to change it."

"Maybe we needed to do it during the tournament and we couldn't, which was the crucial moment. Well, today we have another opportunity, fortunately, sorry, thankfully the worst didn't happen, which was relegation, we were close, and the truth is we got off quite lightly."

The joy of preseason and the demands of the coaching staff

The forward expressed his satisfaction with undertaking a full preseason under the orders of Ezequiel (Medrán), whom he knows from another stage: "First, I'm happy because after two years I'm going to be able to do a preseason, which is something I haven't been doing."

Lago values the intensity imposed by the current coaching staff in the physical aspect and plans to make the most of it. "Today, thank God, I have a coaching staff that demands the maximum in that part, physically, so I want to take full advantage of it."

Regarding his position on the field, he defined himself as a "soldier" and said he hasn't talked much about it with the coach, but trusts his judgment: "If there's someone who knows me, it's Ezequiel, where I like to play, where I feel comfortable. Obviously, in that sense, I'm more of a soldier, I prefer not to decide where to play but to contribute the best from wherever they put me."

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Radio Gol Santa Fe 96.7FM (@radiogolsantafe)

Group strength and the non-negotiable goal of promotion

To achieve promotion, Lago is clear on the main weakness to correct from last year: the group's mental strength: "Perhaps one of the weaknesses we had last year is that as a group, as a mindset, we weren't strong enough. I think today, as the new guys arrive, it's about creating that base of strength, of unity."

The forward knows that setbacks are inevitable during a season, and that's when the team must show greater unity: "It's inevitable that at some point in the season, in the year, you face a setback, and at that moment, be stronger than ever."

The dynamic and intense style of play sought by the coaching staff suits Lago, who prefers to have players with those characteristics around him. "I think so, because it's the style of players I also like to have around. […] Having a dynamic team that is physically fit gives you more freedom in play."

As a reference and one of the veterans, he takes on his role with pleasure and responsibility: "Today, let's see, it's about pushing forward, obviously it's a responsibility that I personally like, I like having to welcome the new guys in the best way, those who also have to lift the team today."

Finally, regarding the tournament format and the fans' pressure, Lago was clear: the only path is promotion.

"At least since I've been here, the goal has always been that, in the two years and two squads I've been part of, the goal has always been the same […] Anyone who comes thinking, anyone who comes to Colón thinking that the goal isn't that, is in the wrong place."

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