Tite takes blame after defeat, says team struggles to bounce back

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·6 February 2026

Tite takes blame after defeat, says team struggles to bounce back

Cruzeiro was defeated again in the Brazilian Championship. On Thursday night (5th), at Mineirão, the team lost 2-1 to Coritiba, in a comeback, in a match valid for the second round of Serie A. After the match, coach Tite gave a press conference, took responsibility for the team's current situation, and highlighted the team's main problem as the difficulty in dealing with goals conceded during games.

In analyzing the match, the coach assessed that Cruzeiro had two distinct halves and lamented the lack of effectiveness in the opportunities created in the first half. According to him, the team could have extended the lead before conceding the equalizer and losing control of the match.

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“A game with two distinct halves. A first half where we had volume, opportunities, could have scored the second goal, and effectiveness counts in football. And closing, we conceded the equalizer. The second half came, and in a counterattack moment, the misfortune of conceding the second. And we didn't have enough strength to seek the draw or victory.”

Tite also commented on the positional switch between Christian and Wanderson during the match. The coach explained that he initially maintained the formation due to the midfielder's good performance in the first half and the plays being constructed on the left side.

“It started this way because Christian was doing well in the first half. The opportunities with Kaiki and Gerson were flowing. So I waited for some moments on the right side with Wanderson, and if it didn't flow, I have the option to switch, which is what happened.”

Regarding the substitutions in the final stage, Tite stated that he sought to provide more support on the flanks and increase the team's pace, in addition to valuing the passing quality of some players who came on during the game. He also commented on the boos and insults from the stands.

“I respect the fans (regarding the boos). I share the fans' feelings, understanding, the pursuit of results, their desire for their team to win. I have nothing to say except to respect them. They are the club's main focus. When we have two supporting full-backs and we pressed on the left side with Kaiki, there's Prattes who provides good support, that's one of the reasons for his inclusion. Fagner gives you a bit more in passing, putting in fresh players gives you a better rhythm. That was the idea (with the substitutions).”

A central point of the press conference was the analysis of Cruzeiro's difficulty in turning game volume into results. For Tite, the team needs to improve both in finishing plays and in defensive consistency after conceding goals.

“The first half had volume and a number of opportunities to secure a more substantial lead. If we look at the counterattacks, the finishes, the balls crossed into the area… and it wasn't effective. On the other hand, when the opponent scored, we didn't have the consistency. So it's about effectiveness up front and consistency at the back. The factors are linked. I have to turn my talk into attitude and behavior on the field to reverse this with football and results, there's no other way.”

The coach also explained the choice of bringing in full-back Fagner instead of William, over the young Kauã Moraes, justifying the need for a player with greater ability to build against a more closed opponent.

“You have Fagner, against a team with a low block, you need a passer. And Fagner is a builder. Different from Moraes, who is a box player. The characteristic was important for me to have a player, that was the idea. The coach is the first in visibility to be held accountable, it's part of the job.”

With two negative results in the first rounds, in addition to setbacks in the Mineiro, Tite acknowledged the growing pressure and was emphatic in taking responsibility for Cruzeiro's current situation.

“I don't know how to quantify. Not guilt, either. I believe in responsibility, the coach's is the greatest of all. I don't know how to quantify the percentage, but the blame is on the coach.”

Projecting the next commitment, considered decisive against América, the coach used a metaphor to explain the team's moment and reinforced the need for emotional maturity in case of goals conceded.

“Facing the truth of the facts. Two negative results. Two moments of performance. I use some metaphors to compare: when you're boxing, you take a jab, a cross, you get a little dizzy. Calm down, you'll reestablish yourself to regain your rhythm. That's how it's done. Knowing how to absorb goals is part of this maturity.”

Tite confirmed that there was a conversation in the locker room after the match, including participation from the director Pedrinho, but avoided revealing details.

“Yes, we talked. Pedrinho talked to us. Last week, no. We had another approach. This time it was Pedrinho. Some things are for the locker room. The locker room is sacred, and we have to know how to absorb these situations, given the club's greatness.”

Finally, the coach once again pointed out the team's difficulty in reacting after conceding goals as a determining factor for the drop in performance in the final stage.

“These are factors that are coincidentally leading to goals conceded. And the factor of knowing how to absorb the goal and transform it, it's part of the game, we'll continue playing well, continue producing, putting volume, which was one of my focuses in the locker room, it didn't happen. Maybe this maturity process, maybe this expectation that Cruzeiro brought, justly, happens and causes the team to become unbalanced. I wouldn't like to attribute it to the physical aspect, not in this way.”

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