Sampaoli: Atlético dominate but lack cutting edge in Juventude draw

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·1. Oktober 2025

Sampaoli: Atlético dominate but lack cutting edge in Juventude draw

Atlético only managed a 0-0 draw against Juventude on Tuesday (30), at Arena MRV, for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. Despite the draw, the result allowed Galo to surpass Corinthians in the table, reaching 13th place with 29 points. The Minas Gerais team opened a six-point lead over the relegation zone — Juventude itself, the first within the Z-4, has 23.

After the match, coach Jorge Sampaoli gave a press conference and highlighted Atlético's performance, even with the frustration due to the lack of offensive effectiveness.

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I think it was a match that the team dominated from beginning to end. Thinking about dominance over the rival, it was the best match I've had here. But we lacked incisiveness, mainly due to the number of players the opposing team had in their area. We had chances and possibilities to win the match.

The coach emphasized the team's defensive improvement, but again demanded more precision from the attackers: "We improved our defensive incisiveness, but we still haven't found someone who gives us goals. We improved on set pieces, we improved offensively and defensively, but we need the goals from the players who play in the final third of the field to start appearing. Otherwise, it will be very complicated as it was today, where we had total dominance, but without incisiveness", he said.

Hulk is missed

Sampaoli also highlighted the absence of Hulk, who was suspended against Juventude. The coach emphasized the weight of the number 7 in the team's decision-making power.

I have a lot of respect for Hulk. If he hadn't been suspended today, he would have played. We could then have counted on his incisiveness. Atlético really misses his goals. At several moments, he alone won matches. When I talk about raising the individual level of players who have the ability to do this, we need Hulk. We need the goals from the players who play in the final third, who have the final shot. The team seeks, but does not have the precision of other times. But I think with Hulk today the team would have won the match.

Bernard as a reference and hope in Dudu

Another point addressed by Sampaoli was the importance of Bernard, who returned to the club this season and has been a key piece in offensive creation.

"Bernard has been a player for our team who has made a difference. It is through him that the team's attack moves. In my opinion, he is a number 10 that the team didn't have before.", he highlighted.

The coach also made a point of praising Dudu's entry, noting that the attacker is in the process of regaining confidence.

Regarding Dudu, we need to recover him so he can return to being the Dudu of old times. We are working a lot with him, and he is predisposing himself to this. Today, in the minutes he played, he went after the opponent, which I hadn't seen at other times. This gives me a lot of hope, he is very eager and desirous. We will continue working with him.