O Atlético-MG prepares for an important commitment: the game against the Boca Juniors, ida that Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, Tuesday (13). And on the eve of the clash at La Bombonera, Galo is experiencing an interesting moment of the season, as he comes from four consecutive victories — Atlético-GO, Cuiabá, Flamengo and América-MG — by Brazilian championship. The good moment put the team in the G4 and has helped coach Cuca to break important marks ahead of the team.
The victory in the Minas Gerais derby was Cuca’s 100th in command of Galo over 182 matches. With the current undefeated streak, Atlético-MG repeats the feat they had last achieved between September 13 and October 4 of last year, also in the Brazilian Nationals — Bragantino, Atlético-GO, Guild e Basque — under the command of the Argentine Jorge Sampaoli.
“I dedicate this victory to my wife Rejane, who is celebrating her birthday. I win my number 100”, celebrated the athletic coach.
In the two matches he will play with Boca Juniors, Cuca will reach the mark of 20 games in charge of Galo in duels for the liberators of America. He is the record holder in this category and achieved the feat at the end of the group stage of this year’s competition.
“We are not favorites. Playing with Boca Juniors is always very difficult, you have to share the favoritism because they are two great teams. They have the positive side of being super rested, but on the other side we have positive game rhythm, even if not fully rested. I left some players out [contra o América-MG] to recover them physically, and they will arrive in better game condition on Tuesday,” said the coach, who regretted the fact that he had little time to prepare for the important duel.
“I’d like a week to work to play this game, so you have healthier players, in a better condition to play. But we don’t even have one day, we introduce ourselves and travel. We have to talk, do the positioning, the training,” he added.
Atlético-MG will follow an intense sequence of decisive matches. Between July 13th and 28th, Galo will take Boca Juniors twice for Libertadores (July 13th and 20th), the Corinthians for the Brasileirão (July 17) and will still have duels against Bahia (25 for the Nacional and the 28 for the Copa do Brasil).
“We have a month of great games (…) We proved once again the strength of the cast. We have a very qualified, strong cast to fight in all competitions. We respect all opponents and let’s go focus to make a good game against Boca Juniors and bring home, if possible, an advantage,” projected the goalkeeper Everson after the victory over the Rabbit.
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