Schelotto happy with Vélez draw, eyes on Racing: "Very even" | OneFootball

Vélez coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto spoke this Friday after the 0-0 draw with Huracán in Parque Patricios, where the alternate team responded well to the complications of the match despite the added concern of Tomás Marchiori’s injury and the lingering worry over Braian Romero’s, both ahead of the clash with Racing that kicks off Tuesday in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

The Mellizo appreciated the team’s versatility in minimizing the effects of Agustín Lagos’s early red card: “It was tough, especially being a man down, but we managed to keep the ball on the ground, apparently scored a goal that was offside… What I take away is the constant intention not to waste time, not to foul, not to argue with the referee, to keep playing with the same mindset even with one less. We were never disorganized defensively.”

Focusing more on the match itself, the coach was full of praise for Matías Pellegrini, who took charge after the red card: “Spectacular, extraordinary match, the attitude he showed, how he inspired the team. We told him ‘stay at right back’ because then the substitution windows come into play, and he solved it with incredible autonomy. I loved his game, he inspired everyone and the team let themselves be inspired by him.”

He also spoke about the changes he made during the match: “Some changes had more to do with today’s game than with Tuesday’s. (Agustín) Bouzat had a yellow card, (Michael) Santos was coming off a long period of inactivity in preseason and we didn’t want to risk him because Romero is dealing with discomfort and we want to have an experienced number 9 next Tuesday. The changes with (Manuel) Lanzini and (Francisco) Pizzini were more due to fatigue. We’re doing well.”

Regarding injuries, everything was uncertain. “Romero has some discomfort, I don’t know what condition he’ll be in over the next few days, we’ll see tomorrow or the day after how he is,” he said first, then added: “I think it will be difficult, whether he makes it or not is more a question for the doctor, he’s been dealing with discomfort since the last match he played,” referring to the Argentine Supercup.

“Marchiori had that discomfort in his knee, I don’t know how he’ll feel tomorrow or Sunday, a doctor will know what to do once he’s checked tomorrow,” he said about the goalkeeper, while also expressing satisfaction with Álvaro Montero’s debut: “He came into a tough and difficult match, but with his experience and skills he played a very good game and when Huracán shot from outside the box he responded very well.”

The coach also downplayed the 49-year streak Vélez broke by not fielding any homegrown players in the starting eleven: “You look at the team, the squad you have, and you put together what you think is best to try to win. We understand the team’s circumstances, with the youth contribution; just seven days ago we won a cup with two goals from a homegrown player, so it’s circumstantial.”

Finally, he looked ahead to the crucial clashes with La Academia: “I think it’s going to be a tight, hard-fought home match, no doubt the tie will be decided in Avellaneda. It’s very unlikely a Libertadores quarterfinal will be settled early. Being from the same country allows us to know each other, from the first to the 25th player on each squad, and the coach. I see it as very even, Racing had a great year winning a Sudamericana, we’ve been growing steadily. It’ll be attractive for neutrals and, for those involved, it’ll be very balanced in terms of play, control, and the chances each team will have.”

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