Saprissa striker escapes personal glory at Real Esteli

Bonilla, who played for the Monsters, reflected on the experience against Saprissa and admitted that he did not practice his free throws because he rarely shoots them in training. However, against Tibanos, he showed confidence and put the ball into the net.

“I’m going to be honest with you… I never imagined a penalty being so accurate. When you have a goalkeeper like Esteban Alvarado in front of you, the only thing you can think of is to push it as far as possible. It’s very satisfying to score a goal like this against a goalkeeper like Esteban, who has had an impressive career path,” he said.

Bonilla insisted that individual events took a backseat because it was important that Esteli win to solidify its position as the regional leader and secure a spot in the tournament quarterfinals.

“I think we are here to dream. We are willing to sacrifice for what we don’t have, but tomorrow we will have a lot. We have to be on our side, we have to stay focused,” he said.

Elpe dominated the left wing with ease and made life miserable for every defender who tried to stop him: Pablo Alboin, Eduardo Anderson, Cleaver Gomez and Kendall Waston were among his victims.

“I think it was a game where I was able to do everything I could. I looked inside and outside, left marks everywhere. In the second goal I was looking for, I called the ball as they said… I took advantage of their mistakes and defined the long stick,” he described.

As for the public statements about Esteli’s rule at Saprissa, Byron prefers not to get involved in the discussion, although he is proud of the message they convey about Nicaraguan football.

“What I focus on is that they talk about Nicaragua in a good way, they say well, Nicaraguan football continues to move forward. It’s great because everything is going well for us. Some say we are tactical, we have the ball, we know how to attack,” he further said.

Visited: Saprissa living in nightmare after being hit by ‘Northern Train’

Byron finished the match to the applause of his own fans and the Saprisista fans in the stadium.

“When I left it was because of internal problems. They took me away because I was a foreigner and because they needed a space, but now I share with some fans and they ask me if I will return to Saprissa and I tell them I go where they give me better conditions. Although in Esteli I am very happy,” he said.

“I can’t hide it, it’s good that they think of you like this because this is the biggest and best fan base in Costa Rica. So if they love you, it feels good,” he concluded.

Byron Bonilla was a nightmare for Saprissa, tormenting the purple team so much that they themselves eventually gave up on his football.