Zubeldía hails team’s fight in draw with Cruzeiro | OneFootball

Fluminense drew 0-0 with Cruzeiro this Saturday (09), away from home, in the 33rd round of the Brasileirão. After the match, the team’s coach, Luis Zubeldía, praised the team’s performance in the goalless draw at Mineirão.

The Team of Warriors had a good performance at Mineirão, managing to mark well and even created real danger chances, and could have even come out as winners. But the moment that marked the match was the non-expulsion of Matheus Pereira, after the midfielder hit Facundo Bernal in the face. The number 10 already had a yellow card and was not punished. The Argentine coach also criticized the referee in the press conference.

Check out other responses from the coach

Why did you drop back so much in the second half?

– These are tough matches. In the first 10, 15 minutes we were better than them. From the 20th to the 40th minute and a bit more, they pushed us more. We finished the match with two clear chances (to score). And the card that didn’t happen. We started the second half, with the first 10, 15 minutes, I think the team did well. Then, it was even. And, in the last 20, 25 minutes, they pushed us. And we couldn’t connect plays and couldn’t attack the space.

– The last 25 minutes are what we should analyze to see if we can attack their weaknesses. Anyway, we did a strong tactical defensive job, at some point in the game, taking into account that we played against a team that also competes in the Brasileirão, it’s natural for this (the retreat) to happen, but all the changes were in search of having more opportunities. We couldn’t take advantage of the final 20, 25 minutes when the opposing team was on top of us.

Absence of Júlio Fidélis

– He’s a good defender, good full-back, projects well. He’s under consideration, of course. But we have two players, one is Samuel (Xavier) who is at a very high level, has technique and knowledge of the position above average and, with me, has been working very well; and Guga as well, who, when I used him at different times in the season, responded well both on the right and on the left.

– Júlio Fidélis is a good opportunity. I always say we have option 1, option 2, and the youngster. So, it seems to me that in this position we are fine. At this point in the season, with only one competition, it’s hard to give opportunities to those who have been the third option. But he’s under consideration, of course. But Samuel and Guga are the priorities.

Have you been including three full-backs to gain options in other positions?

– Yes, that too. I always say we need to have three per position for the season. We have three center-forwards. On the flanks, we need to have three options. On the left-back we have Renê, Fuentes, and Freytes, who can also play there. And we are projecting the full-backs forward, depending on the system.

Do you plan to use Ganso after the FIFA break to give Acosta a rest?

– Of course, if we’re talking about attacking midfielders, Luciano (Acosta) is at a good level. He’s an important piece for the three forwards to grow. He brings acceleration, verticality, and possession. He can dribble and accelerate. And, still, he’s intense in recovery. That third man can be Ganso, of course. He’s a player we all know, a creative player who makes everyone grow in the game. I believe he can already be available for the final stretch.

– We have Nonato, who is a kind of third box-to-box midfielder, who can break the press and get into the opponent’s box and can also help defensively. And we have Lima, who is a more balanced player. Today, I tried out these four characteristics, and, with Ganso, now he can be an option for the next game. And there’s also Lezcano, who is a little further behind, due to adaptation or whatever. I’m prioritizing the players who are more ready for this part of the championship.

What was missing to get the win?

– I feel that, to have a good defense, you have to occupy the spaces well and have a certain balance in possession. Every time Cruzeiro created situations against us, there was an imbalance when managing the ball. When I say good defense, I mean, without the ball, being well organized and, when I have possession, not creating imbalances that allow the opponent to execute. That’s point 1.

– As point 2: decisiveness. A decisive team is always worth two because the few situations that arise at the start or end of the game, if I am decisive, I am closer to winning. And the third point, for me, is that when you make substitutions, they have to be within these two points that I analyzed. Create imbalance and decisiveness. These are the points to get points as visitors.

Importance of the FIFA break

– That’s a bit relative, right? Because we’re all waiting for the FIFA break. And the reality is that in football, the FIFA break, everyone may want to work a lot, gain time. But the reality is that what we have to do is recover the players with the time we have to work. I already have my experience here and, every time there’s a FIFA break here, they say “oh, you have to work,” but the reality is that the only thing you can do, of course there are a couple more days to work, but the first thing is to recover the players from the whole sequence they’ve been through.

Because, in a week, you can’t gain the work that should have been done in the normal calendar. We all wait for the FIFA break, perfect. But do you know how the athletes finish this sequence of games? Way too tired. So, it’s a bit relative. You gain time and work a little more, but not much more. Hopefully we take advantage of the time. But the reality of Brazilian football is that, in ten days, you can’t gain what you didn’t gain in the calendar. “Oh, FIFA break, let’s work double.” It’s not quite like that because the players are very burned out physically and mentally.

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