Balanced match
“It was a very balanced match. We had the first chance, although it’s true that in two transitions they caused us problems. Then came the goal from a moment of defensive disorganisation, but overall it was a very even game. In the second half, we tried everything we could. The team shows that it has soul. The team shows that it wants to, but we could have been playing for a long time and still not scored. Why? Because they defended very well, and in all the situations we had, it’s not a matter of luck. You have to go after it, believe more, and have much more patience. We pinned the opponent back, but we lacked what is the divine treasure, the goal.”
Painful situation
“From that point on, it’s clear that it’s very painful. With the run we have away from our stadium, you leave with a very bittersweet feeling. I read a headline here in León earlier: ‘United we are double, divided we are half.’ Right now, maybe I’m the one making us half. These are painful situations, and I understand my role, I understand everything. It frustrates me a lot because we fell short. The goal would have given us the second, and in the end the match finishes with Murillo’s sending-off and everything against us. There’s no sugarcoating it. I am the one ultimately responsible.”
Great defending from the rival
“They are a team that defends with a lot of soul and determination. By accumulation, it’s difficult to break them down, but we tried every possible way. We changed the structure to defend in a 4-4-2 and attack with a three-man line: two strikers, two attacking midfielders, and two full-backs who acted as wide wingers… What could we have lacked? Near the box, we didn’t switch the play enough, except for a few attempts to penetrate through the middle, which was very difficult. Many second-chance and rebound situations didn’t fall in our favour. These are details that are the opponent’s merit and our demerit. I am very self-critical. When we take the lead, we are not able to defend as Cultural did today.”
The team tried until the end
“The result is very painful, but the attitude and the effort to go for the game… The team tried everything.”
Difficult situation
“I see myself as capable, and I have the strength. With me, there will be no problems. I see the situations we’re creating, and I believe things will turn around. I will speak with the club. United we are double, divided we are half. Right now, possibly the coach is the one dividing us, and that’s me. It needs to be assessed. I understand it as a difficult situation, sometimes it’s necessary to take a step aside.”
Fans are always there
“You can’t ask the fans for more. They’re already tired of my message. I just want to thank them and ask that they keep supporting the team like they did the other day, that they keep pushing. There’s plenty of time to turn things around. Unity is strength. We’ve experienced it throughout my tenure. The more united we have been, the more we’ve overcome situations far more difficult than the one we’re in now.”
