If you’re the kind of fan that gets out of bed for a mid-table Liga Pro clash—first of all, congratulations on your discerning taste. Because while the rest of the country’s eyes might be pointed toward the top, what happens on the rungs just above the drop zone can be just as revealing, just as desperate, just as fun. And this Sunday, El Nacional welcomes Macará for a rematch that’s about far more than just pride—it’s about survival, momentum, and a few egos that got bruised not so long ago.
Let’s set the scene: El Nacional, a once-proud institution, is languishing in 11th, clinging to the good memory of that 2-2 draw at Delfín a couple weeks back like it’s a life raft. Meanwhile, Macará’s not exactly lighting up the South American transfer market, but they’d be lying if they said they didn’t relish putting another dent in Nacional’s campaign—especially after that 2-0 win at home just five weeks ago. You think Macará’s forgotten those goals from Juambeltz and Paz? Neither has Nacional’s backline, I promise you that.
But here’s the thing: football isn’t always about revenge. Sometimes it’s about who’s got the hotter hand, and right now Macará’s got enough cards to fill a poker table. Four wins in their last five, including a 4-0 demolition job at Delfín—that’s not a team creeping up the table, that’s a team arriving. Federico Paz, with goals in three of those last five, is suddenly the midfielder every fan wants to buy a beer for. Pablo González, banging in braces and looking as dangerous as a bull in a china shop. Gastón Blanc, coming off the bench and scoring as if it’s written in his contract. You get the sense this team’s not just winning, it’s enjoying itself. And when you’re enjoying your work, you’re dangerous. Ask any boss.
Contrast that with El Nacional—a team that’s averaging less than a goal a game in their last ten. That’s not a slump, that’s a drought. Djorkaeff Reasco’s been doing his best, popping up with goals here and there, but relying on one man isn’t a strategy, it’s a prayer. When you’re shipping four and five goals—as they did against Emelec and Mushuc Runa—it’s clear the back door’s been left open and the dog’s halfway to the park. Yes, they managed a couple of draws, but let’s be honest: draws are for teams that are running out of ideas, not building toward something.
Now, if you want to know who’s the key man, Paz is the name on everyone’s lips. The way he moves—like he’s always three seconds ahead of the game—has turned Macará’s midfield into a highway to goal. But don’t sleep on González, who’s got the confidence to shoot from anywhere, or Blanc, who’s giving his coach the kind of selection headache he’s happy to have. On the flip side, Reasco is Nacional’s one-man show. If he’s in the mood, he could drag his team over the line. If he’s not, well… let’s just say it could be a long afternoon.
Tactics? Macará’s been happy to play on the front foot, pressing high, swarming midfield, and letting the forwards do the rest. Nacional, meanwhile, looks caught between two minds—trying to attack but always a step behind, trying to defend but never quite shutting up shop. The last time these two met, Macará’s midfield overran Nacional’s like it was a training drill. If Nacional’s manager hasn’t figured out how to stop that by now, he’s not getting paid enough.
Let’s talk about what’s at stake, because this isn’t just about three points. For Nacional, another loss and the whispers get louder, the nerves get tighter, the fans get restless. Teams that can’t score and can’t defend are teams that find themselves looking for a new manager and a new set of ideas. For Macará, it’s a chance to keep that train rolling, to keep the good times coming, to show that their turnaround isn’t just a flash in the pan. Momentum in football is a fragile thing—you want to keep it as long as you can, because when it’s gone, nobody can tell you where it’s gone.
So what’s going to happen? If you’re betting with your heart, maybe you see Nacional’s pride kicking in. Maybe Reasco turns up, maybe the crowd gets behind them, maybe they find a goal from somewhere. But if you’re betting with your head, it’s hard to look past Macará. They’re sharper, they’re hungrier, and right now, they’re just better. If Paz and González keep firing, Nacional’s defense is in for another long day. The best Nacional can hope for is a stalemate, but even that feels like a stretch.
In the end, football’s a funny old game—sometimes the team with nothing to lose surprises you. But this time, the smart money’s on the team that’s been doing everything right for weeks. Macará’s not just coming to town, they’re coming to make a point. And if Nacional’s not ready for it, well… they might not like what happens next.