Zubeldía explains late substitutions: ‘No reason to make changes’ | OneFootball

Coach Luis Zubeldía explained why he waited until the final minutes to make changes to the team in Fluminense’s 1-0 victory over Atlético-MG this Saturday at Maracanã, during the eighth round of the Brazilian Championship.In a press conference, the coach emphasized that the players’ “timing” during the match weighed on his decision to keep the team on the field longer.— Sometimes we make substitutions at halftime, at the 10th minute, at the 40th… One thing is being tired, but still in the timing of the game. Another is being tired and out of timing. When I see that the player is still in timing, there’s no reason to substitute — he stated.Zubeldía also pointed out that the lack of players with similar characteristics on the bench makes it difficult to make changes during the game.— If Lucho were on the bench and Savarino on the field, they have similar characteristics. When that’s not the case, it’s difficult for whoever comes in. That’s why today the changes came at the end, when I felt the fatigue more — he said.The coach also recalled that, in the loss to Vasco, the substitutions were made at the request of the players themselves.— In the last game, all the changes were because the players asked me. This changes depending on the context and timing of the match. Three of the four players up front have been on a long run — he added.Finally, Zubeldía explained his choice for more rested full-backs to sustain the game plan.— We needed fresh players on the flanks. If I started with Renê and Samuel, I could have lost two substitutions when Atlético made changes, like what happened with Cuello coming in — he concluded.

Photo: Marina Garcia/FFC

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