Domínguez dodges signings talk, urges patience, rues Atlético draw

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·10 May 2026

Domínguez dodges signings talk, urges patience, rues Atlético draw

Atlético’s 1-1 draw with Botafogo at Arena MRV on Sunday afternoon (10) once again laid bare some of the team’s main problems this season. After taking the lead through a Cassierra goal in the first half and wasting good chances to extend it, Galo conceded the equalizer in the 44th minute of the second half following another defensive mistake by the black-and-white side.

After the match, valid for the 15th round of the Brazilian Championship, head coach Eduardo Domínguez gave a press conference and spoke about the team’s current situation, as well as the need for reinforcements in the next transfer window.

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Asked about talks with the board regarding the arrival of new players in the middle of the year, the Argentine coach preferred not to go into detail and stressed that the focus must be on the team’s next fixture of the season: “Right now, the moment is about thinking about the next match. If we start talking about things that will happen a long time from now, we won’t focus on the important game we have during the week. It’s a match that could qualify us for the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil”, he said.

Even while avoiding specifics, Domínguez admitted that the club is already evaluating possible moves to strengthen the squad:

But yes, there are already evaluations and situations we are looking at. Today we competed with intensity, and if you don’t have that, you won’t be able to compete. Atlético competed at that level of intensity today. We are trying to improve some situations. But my mind is focused right now on what we can improve for the next game.

Defensive mistakes and missed chances

The draw against Botafogo once again increased the pressure on Atlético’s squad. Atlético put in a defensively solid performance for much of the game, managed to neutralize the opponent, and created the main attacking chances, especially in the second half.

However, the missed chances ended up costing them dearly. Cuello, Román, and Vitor Hugo had clear opportunities to extend Atlético’s lead, but they were unable to turn their dominance into a more comfortable scoreline.

In the closing stages, the defensive system faltered again. After a throw-in and a scramble in the box, Arthur Cabral took advantage of poor positioning and marking by Vitor Hugo and Junior Alonso to score Botafogo’s equalizer in the 44th minute of the second half.

Domínguez asks for patience with academy youngsters

Another subject addressed in the press conference was the use of players developed in the club’s youth academy. Amid repeated mistakes by experienced players, part of the fan base once again called for more opportunities for the younger members of the squad.

Domínguez, however, was cautious when speaking about the subject and asked for patience in the process of using the youngsters.

The boys will need a little more patience before they play. In this sensitive moment we are going through, they will need to be patient. We don’t know how they will react in this moment. When results don’t come, of course we are going to talk about the boys, but they are getting opportunities. Not just one or two young players, several of them.

The coach also stressed that he understands the fans’ demands, but believes the internal environment needs to protect the young players during this unstable period: “So unfortunately they will need to be patient. I will never ask the fans for patience, but among ourselves, that is something that will need to happen”, he concluded.

What’s next…

Atlético now turns its attention to the Copa do Brasil. Next Wednesday (13), Galo will face Ceará in Fortaleza in the second leg of the round of 16. Having won the first leg 2-1 at Arena MRV, the Minas Gerais side only needs a draw to advance.

In the Brazilian Championship, the next fixture will be on Saturday (16), once again at Arena MRV, against Mirassol.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.