Castro persists with Tetê amid poor form as Grêmio’s attacking options thin | OneFootball

With attacking options scarce, Luís Castro persisted with out-of-form Tetê, starting him in Grêmio’s 0-0 draw at Palestino.

With Amuzu sidelined by right ankle pain, Tetê played 71 minutes and, aside from winning a first-half penalty, struggled to influence the game. He completed no telling dribbles and had two efforts that posed little danger.

Castro said injuries and a heavy schedule left him without a natural winger, noting youngster Roger is out with a grade two injury to his right leg. He added that with another match in two days he needed fresher legs.

“He has quality, it will come out. He needs the right context. Right now his life is not in the ideal context for it to show. Maybe he arrived with different expectations, he had been at Grêmio, came back as the best player in Greece, and has played Champions League and Europa League. He could have thought he would arrive as an idol, then he was booed and that could have affected him,” he told GZH.

Earlier this month, after defeat to Palmeiras, Castro said Tetê was dealing with a family issue and accepted the forward had played poorly. He also quizzed the player over missed chances against Coritiba, adding that boos may have influenced him.

Wednesday was Tetê’s 20th appearance since his January return. He has two goals, the last on 15 February against Juventude in the first leg of the Gauchão semi-final, with 13 starts and seven outings as a substitute.

Recently he lost his place to Enamorado, who was rested for the first half against Palestino, with Willian on the left and Tetê on the right. Grêmio signed Tetê from Panathinaikos for an estimated 6.2 million euros on a three-year deal with an option for one more.

Source: Globo.com