Leonardo Campana, the 9 that was left over? | Football | sports

The Ecuadorian center forward was under-supplied in the tie with Venezuela this Sunday, but he participated in the first goal for La Tri and tried it on his own.

When analyzing the debut of Leonardo Campana (20 years old) in the Copa América against Venezuela this Sunday (2-2), two positions can be found above all: on the one hand, that the Ecuadorian striker was left on the field because the master Enner Valencia – also captain – was already ahead and an offensive duo in the Tricolor was unjustifiable due to the few actions that were generated from the midfield; on the other, that number 9 never let go of the rhythm that the match presented him, especially acting with his back to the Vinotinto goal, and was effective in the air game, participating even in Ecuador’s first goal.

The truth is that the young attacker, whose pass belongs to the English club Wolverhampton Wanderers since January 2020 but played on loan for the past nine months at the Portuguese Famalicao, found his main partner in his teammate Pervis Estupiñán on the third day of the contest played in Brazil. At the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium, Bell shot three times, only once with the right direction to the Wuilker Faríñez goal, and recorded six foot passes, one long pass, six turnovers, one recovery, four fouls committed and one infraction received.

In fact, it was Campana who starred in the first emotion of the duel against Vinotinto. At minute 4, the forward understood Estupiñán’s intention, with a low center from the left wing, and anticipated defender Luis Mago to finish off; however, his shot hit the stick.

The Ecuadorian midfielders could not find a way to supply Campana and Valencia, and the centers became the keynote of the game. Once again, the former Barcelona Sporting Club attacker (2019) – who did not stop moving, but could not participate – was encouraged with a header, but the ball went well above the portico of Faríñez (minute 25).

The air game finally worked when Estupiñán took a free kick in front of which Campana rose imposingly in a congested area of ​​the area, Moisés Caicedo continued it, Robert Arboleda went to extremes not to let her out and Ayrton Preciado opened the account for the Tricolor to the 39 minutes.

Leonardo Campana the 9 that was left over Football
Ecuador’s 11th starter this Sunday against Venezuela, with the young Leonardo Campana (above, right). Photo: Thiago Ribeiro

Otherwise, It seemed that the dense game of Alfaro’s team did not require two forwards in the same line, with Valencia also moving on the wing and falling back to have participation with the midfielders.

With what little he had, Campana returned to generate danger with a header at minute 54 that goalkeeper Faríñez notably contained.

When Valencia left the field, at minute 83, the 9 from Guayaquil went unnoticed and the Vinotinto fell 2-2.

Campana migrated to European football in January 2020 after 15 matches in Primera A with Barcelona, ​​his training team. The forward gained prominence as top scorer (six targets) of the 2019 South American U-20 Championship in Chile, where the Tri Juvenile won the unpublished title at the beginning of that year. He was also the center-forward of the National Team of that category at the World Cup in Poland, in mid-2019, a date in which Ecuador achieved a historic bronze medal.

The international performance of the Buenos Aires striker in the minor category opened the doors to the first team in Barcelona two years ago. It was his only season in Serie A in Ecuador with the club where he was formed. According to records from the Ecuadorian Football Federation, he played 15 games (a minority as a starter) and scored three goals for the Canaries.

The Wolves of England were fixed on the Guayaquil and agreed a contract in January 2020. However, after more than few flashes in training, he did not debut. In search of minutes, the transfer in September until the end of the season (June 2021) to the Portuguese Famalicao was imminent, but in Portuguese football it did not find a greater presence. (D)