Ariel Holan’s cleanup at Barcelona doesn’t stop: the five historic players that the coach erased in two months :: Olé Ecuador

07/31/2024 15:21hs. Updated on 07/31/2024 15:48hs.

Damián Díaz’s departure from Barcelona surprised everyone in Ecuadorian footballThe club’s historic number 10 was suddenly left out due to a technical decision by coach Ariel Holan. The Argentine coach reportedly told him that he will no longer count on him for footballing reasons.

Ending Díaz’s career at Ídolo, where he still had a contract. But he is not the first player with experience in the team that Holan has taken out of the squad. He is joined by Bruno Piñatares, Carlos Rodríguez, Mario Pineida and Gabriel Cortez, all with several years in the Yellows and three of them with at least one title under their belt.

The reason? Always the same: he didn’t have any of the five players in football.The truth is that the Professor is looking to put together a team with the characteristics and style of play that he likes. That is why he made a clean sweep that not even the managers had dared to do.

Although these were not the only players who were released, William Vargas, Mathias Suárez and Francisco Fydriszewski also left, they are the most emblematic. Since both Vargas and Suárez only had six months in the Guayaquil team and the Pole left of his own free will.

Diario Olé reviews each of the historic players that Holan decided to remove from the teamTheir numbers, achievements and time at the institution, as well as where they are currently playing.

Ariel Holan during the press conference in Barcelona. Photo: @BareclonaSC

Bruno Piñatares

The defensive midfielder arrived at the team in January 2020 with Fabián BustosHe was one of the pillars for the LigaPro title that year and the Copa Libertadores semi-finals in 2021. Over the years, he lost his place. In total, he played 142 games, scored two goals and gave two assists. Now he is in Guaraní of Paraguay.

Bruno Piñatares during the match against Deportivo Cuenca.

Carlos Rodriguez

Paco, as he is better known, arrived at the beginning of 2022 from Liga de Quito, first on loan and then was acquired due to his good performance. Although he did not win any titles, he established himself as the best central duo alongside Luca Sosa. He played 74 games, scored 7 goals and gave one assist. He is now at Deportes Iquique in Chile.

Mario Pineida

Although his departure has not yet been made official, Pitbull is another one who is not taken into account by Ariel Holan. He arrived in Barcelona in 2016, had a stint at Fluminense in 2022, but returned in the 2023 seasonHe has two titles with the club and two Copa Libertadores semi-final appearances. In total he played 210 matches, scored three goals and provided 10 assists.

Gabriel Cortez

El Loco had a somewhat turbulent time at the club, but he won the affection of the fans. He arrived in 2021 and between comings and goings (in between he went through 9 de Octubre) he reached 83 games, 21 goals and 10 assists in total.The creative midfielder does not yet have a new team nor has his departure from the club been made official, but it is imminent.

Gabriel Cortez celebrates his goal for Barcelona against Libertad (BSC Press).

Damian Diaz

Kitu joined the team for the first time in 2011 and since then he has played 346 games, scored 84 goals and provided 83 assists.. He became the fourth highest scorer in the history of the club and gave them three national titles, as well as two Copa Libertadores semi-finals. He is considered the best number 10 in the history of the Ídolo.

Damian Diaz at Barcelona’s training camp in Brazil.