Junior’s fans was harshly questioned for its low attendance at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan stadium throughout the year. However, he reacted in the finals and was a key factor in the shark team’s achievement of the eleventh star.
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There were three consecutive and impressive sellouts against National and America, in the home run, and against Tolima, in the final, but the fans had already shown signs of support for their team in the last game of the round-robin phase against Nacional (17 thousand spectators attended) and in the first home run game against the Medellín (20 thousand spectators).
Against Nacional and América the collection, adding both games, was 3.5 billion pesos, according to official data provided by Junior. Against Tolima, the unofficial attendance figure was 44 thousand spectators and a box office of 3.2 billion pesos.
Technician Alfredo Arias He was one of those who recognized the influence of the public so that Junior became unbeatable at home. He highlighted the times he took it out of ‘football pit’, like when he was losing in the home runs against Nacional and América, and not to mention the tremendous reception he gave to the rojiblancos in the first leg of the final against Tolima. For many it has been the best start in the history of Colombian football.
“I have never experienced anything like this, and I have played and coached in very good teams, but I had not experienced today.” Arias said at the press conference after beating Tolima 3-0 to take a big step towards the title.
Arias declared that his players were deserving of that reception for the great championship they had achieved and for giving their all in each game, even with mistakes.
The Uruguayan helmsman had already been impressed by the support in the game against Alianza, in Valledupar, qJunior won 1-0. That day he filled the stands of the Armando Maestre Pavajeau stadium.
“Rarely have I seen a team that is 5 or 6 hours from where we are, which is Barranquilla, and we are local. It speaks highly of the Junior fans.”he stated on that occasion.
Arias often found it incredible that the fans did not accompany them in the stadium despite the fact that Junior was the leader for most of the championship. However, he understood that it was the team that had to invite the fans to the stadium, with good football and results, precisely what it showed and achieved in the last matches.
“Potentially this team is the one that could have the largest fan base in all of Colombia. In other places they are cities, with rivals within the same city, here it is a region and it helps you win games,” said the Uruguayan.
Arias always invited the fans to believe in their team, to encourage them non-stop. He always believed that this support could help them go far, as happened in the finals.
“Junior’s fan is annoying, he likes his team to score three or four goals per game, he demands a lot from the player, but they are the fans, they have the best on the Coast and one of the best in Colombian soccer,” pointed out Teofilo Gutierrez to Espn’s F90 in reference to the behavior of the red and white fans, of which it is one of their favorites.
At this same time, in the middle of the title celebration in the Window of Champions, Fuad Char He described her as ‘the lungs of the team’ and also recognized her support in the finals.
The party that was experienced at the Metropolitano in Junior’s last games will be remembered forever. The fans paid tribute to idols such as ‘Kid’ Valderrama, Teófilo Gutiérrez, Carlos Bacca and Sebastián Viera and they flocked to the stadium to push their team towards winning the title.
