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millossobek
The 3-Stars Cup
BUILDING FROM THE BOTTOM UP!
Millonarios Hire Past Legend Alberto Gamero to Rescue them from the Doldrums of 2nd Division!
Check out the INTRO to this ML Story: https://evoweb.uk/threads/millossobeks-master-league-written-stories.88367/page-4#post-3786520 Millonarios Hire Past Legend Alberto Gamero to Rescue them from the Doldrums of 2nd Division!
For the first time in their storied history, Millos have to face a new season in Division 2 The disappointment in the fans is palpable, as relegation occurred in the last game of the season, in sudden and heartbreaking fashion. Needing only a draw to maintain their category, Millonarios could not salvage the result, and following the 0-1 defeat, the media and the fans were in an uproar. In the days following relegation, many players decided to leave the team, some were not re-signed, virtually half of the team's starting eleven embarked on new roads and opportunities, and the team was left with an uncertain future to say the least!
Fortunately for Millonarios, three of the team's veterans, out of a sense of loyalty and love for Los Azules, decided to stay with the team, pictured below along with a new signing:
- Team Captain Mayer Candelo: The 34 year old veteran captain, decided to re-sign with the team. He is the classic #10, enganche who likes to play a creative attacking midfielder role. He has a calm personality, but is a proven leader. However, he is also a very proud player deep inside, and his heart is hurt as he was not able to keep Millos in the top flight, and most definitely feels like he has something to prove. Even though he has still been called up to play for the national team, and had big contracts offered to him from Brazilian teams to play his last years as a footballer, Candelo remained loyal and is now determined to lead Millos back to first division.
- Center Forward Wason Rentería: Wason, the 26 year old starting Center Forward, is a slightly different story. Once touted as a great prospect, Wason had a big offer from South American elite Racing Cub of Argentina, but relegation hit his future prospects hard. He did not have a great season with Millonarios, as he was plagued by injuries and only played half of the matches. Now fully healthy, Rentería wants to prove to himself and to the fans that he belongs in that elite level of footballers in the league, and what better way to do that than to earn promotion?
- Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Henao: JC Henao, also known as "The Monster" for his fighting spirit and warrior appeareance, is a historic player who, 8 years prior, won only the 2nd Libertadores for Colombia in their history, beating South American Giants Boca Juniors in the final with historic performance in the penalty shootout, stopping several shots en route to the title for Once Caldas! Now, 39 years old, and the oldest goalkeeper in the league, JC Henao's contract was not renewed by Once Caldas, but Millonarios decided to take a chance on "The Monster" in this offseason, hoping his veteran leadership and experience will bear fruit in the campaign!
- Center Midfielder Rafael Robayo: Considered by the fans as the "Heart and Soul" of the team, Rafa grew up a Millonarios fan in Bogotá, always dreaming to play for "El Embajador". The 28 year old midfielder is the longest tenured player on the team, now in his 8th season, and is not only considered a player, but also a fan who bleeds Blue through and through. Robayo, more than perhaps any other player, feels the sting of playing in 2nd Division because he feels it both ways, as a member of the team, as well as a die-hard supporter. Even though he was shattered in the final game of the season, as he was seen lying on the pitch sobbing in anger, Rafa Robayo is absolutely determined to leave it all on the field this season, and re-signed a contract extension with the team as soon as he could.
Aside from these important pieces, though, many players left them team, both from the starting 11 as well as from the bench. These players were either looking for different opportunities or were not re-signed by Millonarios due to their underwhelming performance. This leaves the team with a huge challenge, trying to incorporate 10-15 new players in less than a couple of months. Chemistry is a big question, and even though a good mix of youngsters and veterans were signed, it has hastily done to face Division 2, so the team is facing many many questions. Talent wise, the team is much less stacked than the previous year, due also to budgetary constraints and problems. On talent alone, the team probably regressed from a B- to a C grade at the South American level for this season.
And this is when management decided to bring in a new manager, Alberto Gamero. A previous Millonarios player and champion, Gamero is very much familiarized with Millonarios' inner workings, and even though he is not considered a household name in South America (or Colombia) yet, he has shown quite a good performance leading small team Boyaca Chicó to first division, leading them to a league title in 2008. Now, Millos has given him a nice contract, quite large for a Colombian manager, but now he knows the pressure is on.,,, He has to lead Millos back to "Primera Division".
Rafael Robayo: "This is the darkest era in the history of our dear Millos. Words cannot express the profound disappointment I felt in the last game, but the problems started earlier for our team. A disastrous campaign which I was part of now led us to this situation. But I have been taught not to quit when things get tough.. I feel and we, as a team, owe it to our fans, to our city, to our new manager Gamero, to leave it all out on the pitch every single game, not to rest at all until we are back where we belong. Yes, I am very disappointed! But I plan to take this and convert it into determination, this is an enormous team with an enormous fanbase, and we are determined to persevere. The road is long and we're just starting, but we must never forget this feeling, and convert it into strength."
The Pressure is On!! Mired in a 24 year title drought, and now in 2nd division, is this the start of a long spell in the footballing dark ages? Or will Millonarios find the spirit and strength in their historic colors to pull through and regain their past glories? Only time will tell....!!
Stay tuned to the next edition of Millossobek's Master League Stories.
Comments are welcome!
Comments are welcome!
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