Nahuel Molina returns from the shadows: "This year we have to fight for all the competitions"
Last year's Champions League started well, but ended horribly. First time, since 2013, that the team was left out of all competitions in the group stage. LaLiga on a collective and individual level was the opposite. In his first game: goal after a gift and expulsion against Villarreal, but Nahuel Molina (Embalse, 1998) thanks to the support of his team and his coach he rebuilt himself and managed to earn his place not only in Atlético de Madrid but also in the National Team Argentina with which, in just two years, he has won all the titles he aspired to. Molina, Cholo soldier.
The Champions League, last year, did not go well Yes, last year it was difficult for us. Especially in the facet of not being able to score in several games…. It was a shame to be left out in the group stage.. So I think we have to prepare very well to face all the competitions. Simeone has reached two finals, is the third time the charm? Hopefully, we have to stay positive and move forward.. How do you face this new season? Well, with great enthusiasm, I think we had a very good end to the season and it would be nice to start again with that dynamic. The team hasn't moved much until now either, some new teammates arrived, but they have adapted quickly, so with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm.
Last year it arrived new and was one of the most used by the coach. Do you expect something similar this year? Obviously I always have the illusion of playing, of being able to be the protagonist. Then, when it comes to choosing, the coach is the one who decides and we are at your disposal for what you need and what you see for each match..
Do you remember your debut last year at the Metropolitano where you ended up sent off against Villarreal? It was hard because I was just getting settled.. Unfortunately it was a bad game for me and the team because we lost. But well, thanks to the trust of the group and the coach I was able to continue playing, having minutes and that gave me confidence to later have a great season..
That phrase that Cholo told him: “Calm down, you're going to be important”. Yes, he always trusted me and that I could help the team, so totally grateful.
Nahuel Molina, with the Atlético de Madrid shirt. Who is Cholo for you? He is a great coach worldwide.. Then, one that gave me the possibility of reaching a club like Atlético de Madrid so it is very important for me. And for Atlético? Atleti is his home. He lived it as a player, he has lived it as a coach for 12 years now, so he handles it more than well. The club needs it too. It's a very strong union there. Offensively he is a fairly outstanding player, but he is a defender. I understand that Cholo insists a lot on defensive priority. Yes, totally. I am first a defender, a winger. What I prioritize the most is to always be well positioned in defense, predisposed when it comes to defending. Afterwards, the game tells you if I can attack or not depending on the game, the opponent, and many other things. So I pay attention to what Cholo wants in each game. The last two years have not been very good defensively with many goals conceded. Do you think the defense didn't work? All factors are important. Obviously, the defense gives you a solidity that is very important throughout the season.. We also had a moment that was difficult for us: the balls hit the sticks, they were taken out on the line…. We had several games in which it was difficult for us to score and we also suffered, so we have to improve both sides for the start of the League. The message of this transfer window has been 'more defense'. Healthy competition between us is always welcome. The group is humanly very good and very strong, so that internal competition is going to improve us all and will make the team continue to grow.
To you, specifically, comes a person hardened in a thousand battles, former captain of Chelsea. How about Azpilicueta? It's a pleasure for me to be able to share a dressing room with him, I think he's going to be very important for the team.. He spent a long time at a club like Chelsea where he has won many titles and his experience is going to be key for us, especially for the young players, when it comes to giving us that strength that is always needed. Is Cholo a defensive coach? No, I think it depends on the game and it depends on how the opponent prepares it as well.. There are times that we play with a line of five, but generally I play as an attacker and Carrasco, when he was here, also. It doesn't mean that we are defensive, I think it depends on the game and the circumstances of the game..
Molina in front of the Atlético de Madrid bus. Do you consider yourself favorites along with Madrid and Barça to win the League? We have to fight for all the competitions we have. Fortunately, we entered the Champions League again, which is a goal that the club always has, we have the Copa del Rey and the League, which is very important for us. And, with the new additions, we can fight on all fronts, although it will be complicated.
Do you dream of winning a title with Atlético? Obviously, I would love to be able to achieve it at some point, but you have to build from the base and start calmly, time will tell.. With the national team, on the other hand, it has been title after title since his arrival. It is incredible, the thing about the national team has been incredible in such a short time to be able to win such important titles, it was magnificent. Do you remember your debut? It is something unique, just like when I had to debut in the First Division with Boca. They are moments that you take with you forever.. Entering the field with your country's shirt alongside players that I have seen as a child and who are idols, being able to share with them…. It is an immense joy.
His performance these two years has been very high. The truth is that everything happened very quickly, I didn't have time to assimilate it. I also had to come to Atleti and I was able to fit in quickly. Everything has been dizzying. He scored a goal in the World Cup semi-final, would you change it for Montiel's penalty that gave you the title? No, I wouldn't change anything. The things that were given to us for a reason were. We had a very united group and we knew that it depended on us. Luckily, we made it.
Nahuel Molina in a match with Argentina. AFP Try to tell me something original about Messi. Always invent something in training. For example, when they are more relaxed, they invent things on a tile.. He is a different player. Ours is a captain in the national team and, as I tell you, he is an idol for the vast majority, since there are many young people who have seen him play and have him there with us, being able to have won the World Cup with him…. It is the maximum. The best in history. Griezmann is not bad at football either. No, obviously. He is also an incredible player, very important for us, he showed it last season. Let's hope it continues like this and continues with us so we can continue enjoying it. If you look back a little at that boy from Embalse, did he have all this he is experiencing in his head?
No never. My dream was to be able to reach First Division, to play for a team in Argentina. Then, everything that happened to me and in such a short time… No, I would never have imagined it. And he had that break of months without a team before arriving at Udinese. It was hard, I didn't play for 8 months because I was free from Boca, I had that break in the middle, but Udinese opened the door for me, they gave me a huge possibility, And also thanks to that, today I have to be in Atlético and in the National Team. Of everything you have experienced, would you do anything differently? I wouldn't change anything about the things I had to live through..