Odair targets Luís Castro as Grêmio assistant hits back after Athletico 0-0 draw | OneFootball

Athletico’s 0-0 draw with Grêmio has spilled into a war of words, with Odair Hellmann aiming a swipe at Luís Castro and provoking a reply from assistant Vítor Severino.

The stalemate at Arena da Baixada on Saturday, in the 14th round, saw Athletico play with 10 after left-back Esquivel was sent off on 32 minutes of the first half. According to Globo.com, Hellmann later used his news conference to challenge the defensive tag and target Castro, who was suspended as Severino took charge.

Asked about being branded retranqueiro from his early Internacional days, Hellmann argued transition-heavy teams are legitimate and that every side sometimes defends in mid or low blocks, adding no one has 70% possession in every game. He contrasted criticism in Brazil with acceptance elsewhere, referencing Real Madrid.

He suggested that in 2019 or 2020 he would have been heavily criticised had he set up with three centre-backs and two holding midfielders and drawn away while playing with a man advantage from around 30 minutes. He added that some clubs spend heavily on supposedly attacking coaches who then set up defensively, while others on lower salaries are truly attacking. Hellmann said he has evolved as a coach, learning from different schools and gaining maturity and substance.

On Sunday morning, Severino responded on X, calling the remarks a product of frustration and a sense of smallness, and labelling it classic Dunning-Kruger. The Dunning-Kruger effect describes people with limited knowledge overestimating their own ability.

The result left Athletico fifth on 23 points and Grêmio 13th on 17.

Source: Globo.com