Seven matches without a win in the season, five of which in the Brazilian Championship. This is the situation at the moment Atlético. Next Wednesday (20), the team led by coach Gabriel Milito faces the Botafogoin Independência, and gives a preview of what the decision of the Copa Libertadores on November 30, at the Mâs Monumental stadium, in Buenos Aires.
Galo is experiencing a “football crisis”, as defined by its commander, and is trying to put aside its focus on the most important club tournament in South America. For the coach, it is time to have a “final” in the middle of the week and give back up.
after the incidents that occurred inagainst Flamengothe board opted for the “Horto stadium” to exercise the right of principal. In addition to moving house, the club was also forced by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) to play behind closed doors; As a result, Hulk and company will not have the support of the fans in the mid-week challenge.
Aiming to finish the competition in the qualifying bracket for the Libertadores, taking precautions if they do not overcome their Rio opponent in the decision on Argentine soil, Galo will face the leader of Series A. With 68 points, Artur Jorge’s team dreams of the title that hasn’t been won since 1995 and that slipped through the hands in 2023.
“Before that happens (Libertadores final) we have a real final on Wednesday, for the Championship. They are fighting for the title and we, unfortunately, for other things. We have to raise our competitive level to be able to win the match. We need effort from each of the players and I need to help them more, working hard on the mental and physical aspects. But there isn’t much time. We need an urgent reaction”, highlighted Milito.
“We have to make decisions that we have to see. We need mental and physical freshness. The team is coming to the end of the season very tired, due to the games we have played, but we need to make a final effort. Let’s elect those who are the best”, he went further.
Asked if the focus on the Libertadores has hindered the athletes’ concentration on clashes for the Brazilian Championship, the coach admitted for the first time that it was possible. Previously, he had discarded the idea and guaranteed concentration on a recovery in the country’s most important competition.
“It may or may not be possible. There are things that you try to find explanations for in football and sometimes you don’t. We cannot think about the Libertadores final. We know what it means, but we have important games in the Brasileirão to recover and win again. We have to focus on now. We have to play the best game of the championship on Wednesday, so that we can demand from the opponent”, he concluded.
