Nacho Lago: Join Colón to aim for promotion, or you’re in the wrong place | OneFootball

Ignacio Lago, one of the longest-serving players in the Colón squad, spoke to the press about the tough year the club has had, the "internal renewal" within the group, and the non-negotiable goal of achieving promotion to the First Division. The forward expressed his happiness at 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 asset for this season, Lago reflected on the need for a deep emotional and mental renewal within the team: "I don't know if an asset, but obviously there is an internal renewal that I had to make because, obviously, we come from a very bad year, and honestly, if you dwell on that, it's a bit hard to get back up."

The change in management and new faces have served as a necessary "reset" for the entire 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 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.

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

Joy for the preseason and the demands of the coaching staff

The forward expressed his satisfaction at undertaking a full preseason under the orders of Ezequiel (Medrán), whom he knows from a previous 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 take full advantage of it. "Today, thank God, I have a coaching staff that demands the maximum in that part, physically, so I want to make the most 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 my best from wherever they put me."

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Group strength and the non-negotiable goal of promotion

To achieve promotion, Lago is clear about the main weakness to correct from the previous 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 the most unity: "It's inevitable that at some point in the season, during the year, you'll face a setback, and at that moment, you need to be stronger than ever."

The dynamic and intense style of play sought by the coaching staff suits Lago well, 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's physically fit gives you more freedom of play."

As a reference and one of the veterans, he takes on his role with pleasure and responsibility: "Today, 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 need to be lifted 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.