It is said that the passion for football is transmitted from father to son and,
at 19 years of age, Manu Lama will already play on loan at La Nucía, Second B, by Atlético de Madrid
.
The central defender has had
the support of his father, Manolo Lama, a journalist for Cadena Cope and Gol Televisión
, to try his luck in the world of football.
“My father, like every father,
wants his son to play football but also to study.
We both know that you can't trust yourself, that you don't know if you'll be a footballer or not
.
He wants me to get a run to have a base.
My family has always supported me in good times and bad, and it is the unconditional support that I have ”, Manu Lama tells AS.
“This is an ideal place for him, with a great coach, with a sports director (Kiko Lacasa) who wanted to work for a football bet to have the ball.
He comes to help, he comes to fight, to fight.
He is in a process of growth to try to earn a place in the eleven and be one more in the squad ", stated Manolo Lama
about his son in an interview with Golsmedia.
And for now, at his young age, he has already reached the bronze category of Spanish football, being one of the greatest promises of the rojiblanca quarry, so
it is not far away that one narrates the plays of the other, although he, between laughs, he doesn't visualize it yet: “I haven't imagined it and I don't want to imagine it.
We have not rehearsed or commented on it, but it is still too early to imagine that ”.
The young center-back is focused on his current team, although
his personal goal is clear: "My dream is to succeed at home, at Atlético de Madrid
.
"
And without neglecting his other passion learned at home and for which he also continues to prepare, journalism:
“In the end, I have sucked journalism since I was little.
I have seen my father work at home, he has told me a lot about the profession
.
I really like to travel and live big events.
It is unique.
I'm going to work hard to achieve the best in football and journalism
.
"
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La Nucía
A central with a lot of projection
"He is characterized by having good ball handling, being forceful in the air game and difficult to beat in one on one," said his current club in the footballer's welcome statement, something with which he agrees:
"I am a quiet guy, who likes to play ball and defend.
I would highlight the output of the ball and the passing game, which a defender needs ”.
In fact, although he claims not to have any idols, he
confesses that he looks at Gerard Piqué: “He never has big faults and he always delivers on a good note.
He takes the ball well from behind, calmly, well in the air game.
If I had to say a central defender, I would opt for Piqué ”.
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La Nucía
The rojiblanco youth squad, still owned by the Cholo Simeone team, has had a very promising career in the Atlético de Madrid youth academy.
From a very young age, he joined the club of his life:
“I've always been with Atlético de Madrid since I was little.
I joined the team eight years ago, they signed me up at school, and two years ago I went to the quarry.
I feel comfortable at the club
, they treated me well since I was little and I am very happy with them ”.
And despite a more than outstanding past season,
being one of Atlético's most important players in the UEFA Youth League, they opted for an exit
to “play and gain experience in Second B”.
A very outstanding goal
On February 12, 2020, on his birthday
, before the competitions stopped, Manu Lama scored
one of the most important goals of his short career
.
He did so in the round of 32 of the UEFA Youth League,
opening the scoring in the tie against Scottish Glasgow Rangers
, who they would end up beating 0-4.
[📽️] Carlos González and Manu Lama valued the pass to the second round achieved in Glasgow: "We have had that point of effectiveness that is needed in this type of game."
🔴⚪ # AúpaAtleti |
⚽ #RangersFCAtleti |
⭐ # UYL pic.twitter.com/fIZ5PL8hS5
- Atleti Academia (@AtletiAcademia) February 12, 2020
After a corner kick from the left,
the center-back rose above everyone, entering the far post with great force to score with a header and send the ball into the net
.
The best gift he could receive that day, which certified the rojiblancos' pass to the next round.
"What a gift.
We were preparing the game and
the teammates told me that I was going to score
.
I helped the team and we passed, which was the important thing ”, he explains to AS.
Big numbers with Atlético de Madrid
That the Juvenil A colchonero was last 2019/2020 the least beaten set of the 114 teams that made up the Youth Division of Honor category
is by no means a coincidence, as it speaks very well of the security that Lama provided behind.
They only received nine goals against, tied with UD Las Palmas
.
In fact, they managed to exceed ten consecutive days and 1,000 minutes without conceding a goal.
Lama played 1,817 minutes, the second player with the highest participation in the squad.
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Atlético de Madrid
At the same time, he
played a decisive role in the future of his team in the Youth League
, with 630 minutes played, the third with the most minutes, playing seven of the eight possible games, and scoring the aforementioned goal against Rangers FC.
However, they
were eliminated by Ajax in the round of 16 on penalties
.
This is how Lama remembers it: “The Ajax quarry likes the ball a lot, the possession, we were locked in very well and finished zero to zero.
Bad luck on penalties left us out, a thorn that had stuck because we hoped to go further
.
A unique experience".
Present attractive in La Nucía with the objective of the First Division RFEF
This summer, the defender born in 2001 was announced by La Nucía
along with his teammate Alberto Soto, also an Atlético de Madrid youth squad, to grow in the ranks of the Alicante team.
“The team has surprised me a lot, they have received us very well, I have no complaints.
From the first moment we got to the dressing room, people have been very close, ”
explains Manu Lama.
This team from the Valencian Community maintains good relations with Atlético de Madrid, since last season they repeated the formula with center-back Alfredo Pedraza, also a mattress player, and on top of that their coach is César Ferrando, who was Atlético's first coach in the 2004 season / 2005.
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La Nucía
For now,
Manu Lama has started with CF La Nucía on the first day of competition, drawing 0-0 with Orihuela at home
and leaving a clean sheet.
The team trained by Ferrando is growing little by little and his project promises.
In fact, this season they have already set
the goal of getting into the Second B Pro
and officially known as the RFEF First Division.
“I think we will do well.
We have a team to fight for the first three places to go to the round.
It costs a lot to win the games, you have to go little by little
, working, with your head, and in the end we have good players and if it goes smoothly the results will come ”, he analyzes optimistically.
Last 2019/2020 they already achieved a comfortable salvation
, and this year they are looking to go one step further, with the help of the ten new additions, among which is Manu Lama.