National: The reasons behind the departure of Javier Gandolfi

The expectation of replacing a successful cycle

Gandolfi arrived at Nacional with a Complex missionwhich was to replace a coach who had achieved what seemed impossible.

Efraín Juárez raised Two titles In terms of monthsgrabbing a team that was already in competition during the second semester of 2025 and had lost Repettoquestioned by “The forms” Despite being within the top 4 of the League at the time of its dismissal.

The Mexican formed a united teamwhich was replaced in the face of adversity and ended consecrating champion both of the Ending as of the Cup Colombia. Two stars that ended up enabling green to play Libertadores and also play the Super League in 2025.

With this panorama, Gandolfi landed in the green with this complex mission and with a team similar to the one who had conquered the doublewith the exit From Álvaro Angle as the most decisive within the squad.

Start with title, but bad results in the first semester

The passage of Gandolfi nor started badly. Conquered the Super League in view of Bucaramangawinning by penalties With ‘Chipi chipi’ Castle As a figure, and everything seemed to be able to go.

In parallel, He had achieved a 6/6 in its premiere in Colombia’s League And he kept the undefeated to date 5, in which his first fall against Alianza in Valledupar was given.

The first semester He finished it in position 5 with 35 points. It was the team that made the most goals in ‘All against all’, with 37, but also received 21.

It was part of the Group b of the home run next to Millonarios, Santa Fe and Once Caldas. A tight area and that He ended up winning the lion on day 6.

National was out of dispute for its bad results. Did 8 points On 18 possible and Santa Fe took the group with 12, also displacing the millionaires of Falcao.

From there, The team began to reduce its intensity And the individual levels also lowered their performance, reaching a second semester in which things did not go well either.

The fans He never agreed with the coach’s addresswith a football that perhaps it was not according to the green payroll quality for this 2025.

Second semester: ups and downs, advancing in a cup, but with adverse results

In the second half of 2025, Nacional incorporated some players and lost many others in the renewal of the workforce.

As in the opening, Nacional started with 6/6 and advanced in a cup against Cúcuta. It alternated good and bad results, staying between 8 but without shining against the rivals on duty.

He managed to get to rooms Cup after beating Quindío In a series in which he ended up suffering out home, but managed to get him forward.

The 1-0 fall against Bucaramanga in Medellín was Gandolfi’s last game at the head of the team. The Leopard played with 10 for a whole time and Alfredo Morelos erred a penalty that could have changed the fate of the commitment.

Gandolfi left National in the seventh box. 17 points on 11 dates, to the limit in the classification thinking of home runs. It has 4 less than junior and strength, the pointers of the end.

Elimination in Libertadores with wrong penalties

Nacional had won the quota to Libertadores for the end title of 2024.

It was part of the Group f next to International, Bay and National from Uruguay. Despite not having good yields away from home, Atasio became a fortress, winning 9/9 and classifying second.

In Eighth He had to measure himself Sao Pauloa rival in the ‘accessible’ roles considering the hypothetical crosses that could occur, and ended up eliminated in a series for oblivion.

The first leg was played in Medellín and It ended 0-0, but in a game of intense emotions for the locals.

Not only crashed Two balls in it postbut also Edwin Cardona He was the protagonist ERRANDO two penalties: One threw it outside and the second was covered by the rival goalkeeper, who drowned the celebration of the ex-Boca and Racing steering wheel, among others.

In the lapNacional began losing very fast with a goal before 5 minutes and seemed that the series was already impossible. However, in the second half, the green obtained the draw with a goal from Alfredo Moreloshow could put he penal that sanctioned him to the visit.

The series had changed its energy and national prepared to go for the comeback in the final stretch, although Another fact that involved Cardona altered development.

He steering wheel ended his series against Brazilians being expelled. The judge showed him the Second yellow by shout him The goal a Ferraresi And he threw it, leaving Nacional with 10 and complicating the desire to go for 2-1.

In the end, the global term 1-1 And it was in the penalties (again) where National It was not necessary. Erred two and the Brazilians advanced to the quarterfinals, calling an objective that was fundamental for the Gandolfi cycle.

His balance against the other greats of Colombia

Another ‘lazy’ point by analyzing Javier Gandolfi’s campaign were the clashes against the other greats of Colombian football.

In total, Gandolfi faced 14 games of the so -called ‘important’ and only won 2once before America and another before Santa Fe.

In your balance, tied 8 and lost 4. Before Medellín, he matched the three times he faced him, without being able to win the classic. Millionaires could not beat, with two draws and a defeat.

His performance In this type of parties it was from 33%.

The undue alignment: one night that was final blow for Javier Gandolfi

In his last game against Bucaramanga, Javier Gandolfi and his coaching staff They made another mistake that added tension to the existing situation.

And it is that the Argentine did not realize and ended up aligning 4 foreigners For 3 minutes in the second half against the Leopard.

While making a change to try to make up the situation (Salazar by Cándido), the damage was already done. Bucaramanga confirmed that he will advance with the claim for the game to end 3-0 and Gandolfi himself recognized his mistake in thisadmitting that “there is no excuse.”