Tite admits struggles, calls for response after heavy defeat

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·30 gennaio 2026

Tite admits struggles, calls for response after heavy defeat

Cruzeiro started the 2026 Brazilian Championship with a result far below expectations. On opening night, the celestial team was thrashed by Botafogo 4-0 at Estádio Nilton Santos, in a performance that exposed collective weaknesses and raised serious doubts about the team's current capabilities.

After the match, in his press conference, coach Tite gave a direct analysis of the team's current moment. The coach admitted difficulties in getting the team to reach the level shown last season and pointed to factors such as lack of competitive rhythm, strategic adjustments, and the emotional impacts of the game.

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According to Tite, preparation and physical load management may have influenced the team's initial performance, and he emphasized that the team lost its way after conceding the second goal.

“Perhaps the biggest mistake was in the repetitions, now that I’m training. And then the strategy, which I didn’t understand to be the most important. We could have played more games, even risking some injuries, maybe we’d be more in rhythm. We’d have better behavior and rhythm, like last year. The game, given the circumstances, with the wide scoreline, the second goal was decisive. A goal at a moment when we were making substitutions, Jonathan felt something, the referee hurried, I held back because I was going to make a change, João was coming in and then the second goal happened. From there, it became a different game. And the greatness of Cruzeiro does not allow for such a lopsided score.”

Asked about the drop in performance in the second half, Tite avoided the term “blackout,” but reinforced the need for a quick response, especially given the club’s stature and external pressure.

“Persistence and resilience are fundamental in football. We have to have the greatness to understand all the criticism that came, the pain the fans are feeling. The only way to turn it around is by improving with results. And that carries over to the next game. The rhythm, I’ll say it again, a team that had been playing more would be at a better stage. And I preserved, maybe for the health of some. And I’ll add, we conceded a goal, but stayed focused and were close to equalizing. After the second goal, yes.”

Tite also addressed the natural pressure after a positive previous season and emphasized that the start of a new cycle requires adjustments.

“First, the resumption of this work. You don’t finish one competition and start another at the same level. You take a step back, keep it simple, listen, feel the criticism, work, and turn it around on the field. There’s no other way.”

Within the game model, the coach admitted difficulties in balancing ball possession with offensive verticality, a hallmark of the team previously.

“It’s always the whole context. Having the serenity to lead the group. We don’t want to lose that verticality. But in this restart, I’m having difficulty. Maybe the results themselves take away confidence, at a more decisive moment, which is effectiveness. Maybe, yes, one thing leads to another: this lack of rhythm generating a better finesse.”

Regarding the substitution of Christian for Gerson in the starting lineup, Tite explained that the change was technical and strategic, seeking more playmaking ability alongside Matheus Pereira.

“The idea was to have one more player to create with Pereira. That’s the position where Gerson produces the most. Normal and natural. Share the playmaking. Christian was adapted there, did well, but his original role is as a deeper midfielder, box-to-box, sometimes out wide. It’s not an invention, it’s about giving the team more ball possession and creative sense.”

Despite the negative result, the coach guaranteed that he will continue to use full strength in the Campeonato Mineiro as well. “Definitely yes.”, said the manager.

Tite also indicated that Arroyo is gaining strength as an option among the starters.

“Also. Regardless of the result, it’s tough for everyone, I’m aware of Cruzeiro’s greatness and the bad result. Some aspects are important and Arroyo is one of them.”

For the celestial manager, the weight of the rout will depend on the team’s immediate response in the coming rounds.

“It depends on how we react. If the team has the personality to absorb the criticism that will come, based on performance at certain moments in the game. Effectiveness, consistency. You don’t score alone. And when you concede, it’s collective. It depends on the greatness of the team.”

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