Chelo contributes to the footballing side of the tanos and stands as a reference point for a young squad.
The return of Marcelo Diazidol, a member of Chile’s celebrated Golden Generation and a two-time American champion, caused a major stir in the 2023 transfer window. Yet beyond the headlines, his connection with the guitar and his evolution as a midfielder for Audax Italiano have made him a pivotal asset for Manuel Fernandez’s side.
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Díaz’s journey features a long spell abroad from 2012 to 2022, marked by his glory with Racing, a domestic Argentine league title, a championship trophy (also in the Andes region), and two Swiss league titles with Basel. His pivotal moment at La Cisterna came when he stepped in as a libero against Palestino, initiating a strong first start. There, supporters of the club he adores, with which he captured the Copa Sudamericana, watched a brief setback before the momentum began to shift.
A week later he stood as the lone central midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 setup, and his performance surged: 58 successful passes from 60 attempts, a direct influence on the team’s ability to seal a win against Deportes Copiapó. His coach remarked, “I see him getting better and better, sustaining energy for 90 minutes and offering us significant tactical flexibility.”
The Argentine spoke with GOAL ahead of the clash with Curicó at La Granja, noting that when Marcelo is mentioned, the affection for the game’s characteristics he shares with the team is evident. Diaz is a player who helps cultivate the collective idea the squad pursues. His return to form, after years away, is driving ambitious goals. His competitive spirit is contagious, and he pushes himself relentlessly. The coaching staff believes this will bear even more fruit as he accumulates more minutes on the pitch.
Despite his influence through shots, precise passes, and chances created, Curicó edged Audax 2-1 in Diaz’s debut match for the new team. He regrouped in the following 1-1 draw with Unión La Calera, delivering 79 successful passes and assisting Gonzalo Ríos with a precise finish that showcased his class.
After a setback against Everton, Diaz played 65 minutes in a challenging performance for Audax as the season began, with the squad facing a tough defeat in the northern stretch against Coquimbo. In the Sudamericana, he added a moment of accountability to the midfield that helped Audax push for a better standing, trading a potential group-stage spot for a stronger show in subsequent rounds.
DIAZ’S OBJECTIVES AT AUDAX
The primary aim is to maintain strong performances in the Copa Sudamericana group phase, following a 3-2 win over Universidad Católica on March 7 that kept the team in international contention for 2023.
Locally, the focus shifts to advancing in the Copa Chile and preserving the Floridians’ position in cup contention through 2024, with the First Division title still elusive since 1957. The question remains: can Audax reclaim past glories with Diaz as a catalyst?
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Source: Goal