Sampaoli hails Atlético-MG draw away from home: "The team showed character" | OneFootball

The Atlético-MG traveled to Bolivia, faced the altitude and left the field with a 2-2 draw, against Bolívar, last Wednesday, for the first leg of the Sul-Americana quarterfinals. Coach Jorge Sampaoli valued the result.

“There is a physical conditioning that made it difficult for us in the second half. We had to make mandatory changes. It's very difficult to play here against a team that is used to it and has many attacks. But we got a good result here and we are waiting for the return. We played against a rival who plays very well here, knows the ball timing well,” said the coach, in a press conference after the game.

Galo had a good first half and went to the break winning 2-0. However, the team's performance dropped and conceded a draw in the final stage. Despite this, Sampaoli saw an improvement in the Minas Gerais team, which he praised.

“Today the team showed personality and a different structural posture. I believe there was an improvement, which we value. The return match will be as difficult as this one, but it will be more balanced in the physical part, and we hope the football part will be in our favor. The tactical part, we will see how we organize the game, which will be different, against a rival who plays well as a visitor,” he said.

“We are starting a job. Today I value the organization and respect for a plan of a very complicated game, usually for any visiting team. The personality they had to play it seemed relevant, important and is what I value the most,” he said.

The second match between Atlético-MG and Bolívar is scheduled for next Wednesday, at 7pm (Brasília time), at Arena MRV. Before that, Galo has to face Botafogo, for the Brazilian Championship.

“Nothing is defined. We must be cautious, knowing that the rival also has good games away from home. It will be a decisive match, balanced, in which we will have to be very good to take advantage of our attacks,” he commented.

Next Atlético-MG matches

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