Gustavo Puerta He went, suddenly and almost without stops, to play in the B with Bogotá FC to the Bayer Leverkusen by Xabi Alonso. Now he celebrates his first title, and not just any: the first Bundesliga of the club, in almost 120 years of history. And he can still win the German Cup and the EEuropa League.
Puerta, at 20 years old, has played little (see graph): he learns and waits for his opportunity. What he did experience was the historic celebration and the invasion of the field by the fans, overflowing with joy. In that game, which ended 5-0, he was on the substitute bench.
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“It was something historic, very crazy for me and for my life to have lived one of these moments. When we became champions and people started celebrating, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Having won my first title and having won one of the top five leagues in Europe is something very big for my career. Now we have to keep fighting and keep winning titles, that's what I want since I've been a professional player,” Puerta said in a talk with several media outlets on the continent, including EL TIEMPO.
What led Leverkusen to finally win their first Bundesliga?
The Union. This group has created a family. Everyone is going and we have gone in the same direction, towards the same goal. When a team goes to the same place it is easier to achieve what you want. Always being united, supporting each other, is the key. what one wants. Always being united, supporting each other, is the key.
What has your experience been like, despite not playing that often?
I think it has been a very positive year for me personally, for my career as a footballer in this career that I am starting. I haven't been able to add many minutes, but in the ones I have added I have done relatively very well. This is all part of the process, I have been learning a lot from the teacher, from all the players. Xabi Alonso was also a midfielder.
What has it taught you?
It is a privilege to have this kind of people and this kind of footballers, he was one of the best in his position. It is a privilege to have him as a coach, he has taught me many things, he teaches you every day, he leads you to give your best, he helps you a lot to improve and explore your potential.
How does one adapt to going from playing in the B in Colombia to the Bundesliga in such a short time?
For my career it was a very important change, it is something extremely different. At first I didn't even believe it, going from playing in B and not being in A and joining one of the best teams in the world today is a very nice change for my career. I have taken it positively, I have improved a lot both on and off the court, I am a different type of player. Having been here and playing some games showed me that it is possible. He was already in a call for the Colombian National Team with Néstor Lorenzo.
How different is the football you play there compared to that of Xabi Alonso?
Xabi's style is a style of always having the ball, many long possessions, reaching the opponent's field, a lot of precision, many short passes. In the National Team he is a little more vertical, more direct, his attack and transitions are faster. They are two slightly different styles, but as a player you have to adapt to the way of playing of each coach.
How do you prepare, in the midst of so much celebration for the Bundesliga, the other two titles that you are fighting for?
The atmosphere in the dressing room is very calm. Nobody is relaxed here nor have we settled. There are still two cups left, in one we are in the final and in the other in the semifinal. The goal is to reach the Europa League final and win it. The entire team is focused on the remaining games. Let's wait for the Europa League match on Thursday, get the advantage and be able to take a big step to the final.
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