Acorán, in Cyprus (AEK LARNACA).
Aleix Valero (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) | Acorán Barrera made his debut with CD Tenerife in the First Division in the 2001/02 season under the guidance of Pepe Mel, playing nine games as a blue and white in the top flight before trying his luck away from the island.
After a long career in different Second Division B teams, The forward arrived at SD Ponferradina, rival this Saturday of Luis Miguel Ramis’ team, where he would remain for six seasons, becoming an important name in the Bercian ranks.
With no less than 74 goals in his career, he made the leap to Cyprus several years ago, where the last two seasons have coincided in the AEK Larnaca with José Naranjo, assigned by the representative.
From afar, Acorán comments to Deporpress who still follows the news of the team from his land, talks about the importance of Naranjo for his team, which is fighting for the league title in Cyprus and for being able to play the Europa League next season but, in turn, if he has to choose a result for Tenerife-Ponferradina at the weekend, opts for the peninsulars.
Aleix Valero: How are things for Cyprus? How many years has it been there?
Acorán Barrera: Well, I’m already on my fifth season. It’s been almost five years here and the truth is that I’m very happy. This season is being atypical for COVID, but hey, we are trying to be hooked to the high zone.
AV: What does AEK Larnaca aspire to?
AC: We aspire to fight for the league title, which is what we still need to win, but it is true that things are not going as well as we expected. Even so, we can still fight and get into Europa League positions, which is another of our goals.
AV: What plans do you have for the next season?
AC: I feel good, and with the strength to continue. Now I am finishing the contract and I don’t know what will happen, when the time comes we will have to assess the situation.
AV: How do you remember your jump from Ponferradina to Cyprus? How did that possibility arise and take the step?
AC: It was a surprise, I didn’t expect it. They contacted me as soon as the season ended and the truth is that the idea attracted me a lot. There were already several Spaniards here and they spoke to me very well about the country and the team, and that helped me to decide to try outside of Spain. I am very happy with the experience and the decision I made.
AV: Now Ponferradina is coming to Tenerife, what memories do you have of those games against Tenerife?
AC: Well, they are one of the best memories I have for the feelings they generate in me. They were very beautiful matches, both those lived in Second B and Second.
AV: Just last year’s Tenerife-Ponferradina was the last one that could have an audience at the Heliodoro before confinement. What do you think of how football has changed and what is it like to play without people in the stands?
AC: I didn’t remember that it was the last one with an audience. It’s amazing how the situation has changed for everyone. Playing without an audience is very noticeable, we need the encouragement of the fans in the most difficult moments, and it is a shame not to be able to feel them in the stands. Games without an audience are not the same, I hope the situation improves soon and they can fill the stadiums again.
AV: Who are you going with for this Tenerife – Ponferradina? What would you like to see happen?
AC: I would like a great game to be seen, beautiful for the spectator and, with respect to the result, I would like it to be chosen more for Bierzo.
AV: There you are with José Naranjo, on loan from Tenerife. How are you seeing it?
AC: We are doing very well with Naranjo, really. Last season was great and the pity was that the league was stopped by the coronavirus. This season he continues at a great level, he is helping us a lot, he is a great player.
AV: Do you think you could succeed in Tenerife, or better that you try it in another team?
AC: Of course it is. He has all the conditions to do it, only that there are players who need a little more time than others. If they give him the opportunity to prove it, he will, for sure.
AV: Are you following Tenerife from afar? What is the Tenerife season looking like?
AC: Yes of course, I try to keep up to date. They have started the year very well, getting on a good streak and I hope they continue like this until the end; that can be hooked to the area above and not be in trouble.