Leonardo Madelón after Unión win: “I hadn’t lost the dressing room” | OneFootball

After the comeback against Aldosivi, Leonardo Madelón spoke at a press conference and highlighted Unión’s reaction in the second half. The coach acknowledged that the team had difficulties during the first half, but praised his players’ ability to read the match and turn the story around.

“I let halftime pass and gave them ten minutes because we still weren’t switched on. The wind was a key factor for us because we couldn’t find our footing or play on the ground, which is what we do,” Madelón explained while analyzing the difficulties Tatengue had in the first half.

The coach said the team managed to settle near the end of the first half and decided not to make changes right away. “We knew there was still another half to turn it around. I said we were going to wait a little with the substitutions, let the minutes pass, and maybe we’d hit one from mid-range,” he said.

The story changed completely after the break. Unión found spaces, handled the ball better, and ended up winning convincingly. For Madelón, the key was getting back to basics: “The team played. When it played, it was better; when it fought, that’s not who we are.”

In that sense, the coach stressed that the second half showed a version much closer to what he wants from his team. “It looked like they were playing from memory, one touch, simple. I think if this team plays simply, that’s our best path,” he said.

“We’re putting together a new team”

Madelón also referred to the adaptation process of a squad that underwent several changes during the transfer window. The coach explained that there are still partnerships on the field that need to fully come together.

“We’re putting together a new team. A lot of players with different characteristics left and others came in. We’re getting to know each other,” he said.

As an example, he mentioned the differences between some players who already had an understanding on the field and others who are just beginning to share the pitch. For Madelón, those connections need time to develop, although results can speed up the process.

“That’s going to take a few games. Obviously, with results, things always become more solid,” he said.

Self-criticism after the defeat against San Lorenzo

The coach also recalled his statements after the match against San Lorenzo, when he had been very critical of the team’s performance.

“It was the worst match of all the spells I’ve had at Unión de Santa Fe, I think it was the worst,” Madelón admitted, while also clarifying that the team had suffered three injury-related changes during that match, although he felt that was not enough to explain the poor display.

According to him, that performance served as a starting point to review how the team was functioning and understand that they were trying to replicate a previous model with players who have different characteristics.

He backed the squad and dismissed feeling under threat

In response to rumors casting doubt on his continuity, Madelón was emphatic and said he never felt his job was in danger.

“I didn’t hear about it. You try to block everything out. I have a contract, and if things go very badly, the board has every right to tell you, ‘it’s not with you.’ But that never crossed my mind,” he said.

The coach also highlighted the support he received from his players and denied that there is any problem in the dressing room. «People said the dressing room was broken, that I was losing control of the group, and that’s not true. I spoke with the players, we were together, they’re doing very well,” he said.

He also especially valued the commitment shown by the squad in the build-up to the match against Aldosivi, where there was group work and different activities aimed at strengthening confidence.

Vargas’ situation and the search for a reinforcement

Madelón also spoke about Lautaro Vargas’ situation, as he will undergo further tests to determine the next steps. “He had his check-up today, and on Monday they’ll see whether surgery is possible or not,” he explained.

Given the situation, Unión is considering using one of its available options to bring in a player. The coach acknowledged they are evaluating alternatives to strengthen the squad.

“We’re looking, we’re searching. We don’t know if because of Vargas, a striker, a midfielder, because we’re a little short there, maybe an interior midfielder. We don’t know,” he said.

Sarmiento, the next challenge

With the win against Aldosivi, Unión earned its first away victory of the tournament and reached seven points. Now, Madelón is already thinking about the next match: Sarmiento, in Santa Fe.

“Now Sarmiento is coming, and they’re tough. Facundo has found a team, they play 4-4-2, but with experience, tough,” he analyzed.

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