Sampaoli rues bitter Sul-Americana loss, vows to stay at Atlético-MG | OneFootball

Coach Jorge Sampaoli described the runner-up finish in the Copa Sudamericana as “bitter,” especially for having disappointed the Atlético-MG fans. Galo lost to Lanús-ARG on penalties, 5-4, this Saturday at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Paraguay.

“In a final, being so superior, we couldn’t win and that is bitter. It causes pain, mainly for all the fans who came to support the team and deserved a different result. I regret that the team didn’t have the chance to turn the difference they had in the match and the clear opportunities created into goals. We ended up going to a penalty shootout, in which we were erratic, and the opponent took advantage,” analyzed the coach.

With this negative result, Atlético-MG missed the chance to complete its international trophy collection and to win an unprecedented title. Galo finished as runners-up and, as a prize, received 2 million dollars (about R$ 11.3 million).

Just like captain Junior Alonso, Sampaoli admitted that the lack of efficiency was the main culprit for Atlético-MG’s defeat. In the second half of extra time, for example, Hulk found Biel, who went one-on-one with Losada but shot straight at the Lanús goalkeeper.

“We were not decisive. We didn’t take advantage of the chances we had against an opponent who hardly bothered us. But decisiveness is part of football, and then we went to the penalty shootout. And that’s hard to analyze,” lamented Sampaoli, who understands that Atlético-MG felt the fatigue in the final stage of extra time.

Will Sampaoli stay at Galo?

After the runner-up finish, Sampaoli was asked if he would remain at Atlético-MG for the next season. Galo had the chance to secure a spot in the 2026 Libertadores with the Sudamericana title, but now can only achieve that through the Brasileirão. The possibility is still open—the team is in 11th place, with 44 points.

The Argentine manager, however, dismissed discussing future scenarios and guaranteed his stay at Atlético-MG. It’s worth remembering that Sampaoli signed a contract with the Minas Gerais club until 2027.

“No, no [if there’s a chance of leaving]. I have a contract for two years here, a year and a half, and I want to build a long-term project at this club. Afterwards, in Brazil it’s a bit complicated, but that’s my idea, to build something like we did in 2020,” said the coach.

Sampaoli also took the opportunity at the press conference to apologize to the Atlético-MG fans, who traveled from Brazil to Paraguay, filled the Defensores del Chaco, and did their part during the 120 minutes. The coach also said that, based on how the match went, Galo was the team that deserved the title.

“To apologize. I believe the team gave its all and didn’t achieve the objective. But I value the sacrifice of the fans, coming from so far to see their team as champions, but I believe the result shouldn’t overshadow the reality of what the match was. It didn’t happen, football is like that, but if there had been a winner [in regular time], based on how the match went, it should have been Atlético-MG. But we have to congratulate Lanús, who had a great Sudamericana. It’s hard to explain what we saw and didn’t finish,” concluded the Argentine.

Upcoming Atlético-MG matches

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