09/26/2024 1:33 p.m. Updated on 09/26/2024 11:07 p.m.
“Gaby (Milito) asked us to be brave, to take the risk and we went out to look for him from the first minute. The true face of the team was seen…”. The happiness of Rodrigo Battaglia it is everything Atlético Mineiro. He didn’t mind having the current champion in front of him and starting the rematch 0-1. With personality, character and, above all, a lot of football, he minimized Fluminense, turned the series around with Deyverson’s double and reached the semi-finals, an instance in which he will have another litmus test against River.
“We will face a cup-winning club that plays in a Monumental that is pushing. And the return of Marcelo (Gallardo) is no less significant. We know and we can see what it transmits to the players and it seems that now things are working better for them. They have a team of hierarchy and a lot of enthusiasm, but so do we,” said the former Huracán, highlighting what it means to face MG and at the same time sticking out his chest for everything his coach gives him.
“Milito has very clear ideas and that helps us. We go out to each game knowing where we can hurt and we have a game pattern and an idea that we try to take to all the fields. “He gives us impressive confidence and it is demonstrated in the latest results.”he added in a conversation with F12 (ESPN) after being one of the figures against Fluminense, playing as a libero and at the same time with advances and participation in attack (he hit a bomb on the post).
Battaglia’s celebration against Fluminense. REUTERS.
With respect to River and “without losing humility”, concept that GM highlights, in Belo Horizonte they venture a “very tough semi-final” and at the same time they dream big despite having to face an unprecedented challenge this year. The thing is that after closing at home both in the round of 16 and with the quarterfinals, this time the 47 thousand spectators who fill the Arena do Galo and that they were an important factor against the Flu, they should make the difference in the first leg.
Copa Libertadores –
Atlético Mineiro eliminated Fluminense and will be River’s rival
“It will be the first time we define outside because River finished one point ahead in the group stage. It’s been decisive to finish at home, but it shouldn’t affect us much. I don’t think it will be a determining factor in this instance,” RB remarked, with a first analysis on how the development of the 180′ can occur.
“The teams in these instances of mata-mata do not expose themselves much. With Colo Colo, River scored the goal and then managed the result. “There aren’t many goal situations, but it will be a very nice semi.”
“Defining at home is a minimal advantage, but in these instances it is not so much. Look at what the Peñarol series was, which happened against Flamengo for the away victory. The best arrive, in this instance it will not have as much impact to define at home. local,” he added on Fox Sports Radio. Remember: Galo will be home in the first leg.
“You can see that River changed, they took a step forward with the return of Gallardo, they hired very good players, some of my friends, very senior. That makes the team improve. They are two very good coaches and we prepared ourselves in the best way “It’s going to be a very contested series,” said Battaglia.
“The ideal is to get an advantage here, but we are going to compete in Brazil and Argentina in the same way, for the team, for Gaby’s mentality and ours. There are extra things that influence, it is not your audience, but I hope go well,” he said.
“There is a month between now and the game, it helps us that we have the Copa Brasil and Brasileirao semi-finals. You don’t have time to relax. It is a highly anticipated game, anxiety weighs a lot, you have to take care of yourself and continue preparing and try to improve to be prepared for that semi-final,” said Rodrigo, 33 years old.
About the change of position
“It was Gaby’s request to play as a central marker. He likes possession. The first game with Gaby was as a central midfielder, there came a match in which the center backs were injured, he asked me and I told him that I was encouraged. And I They expelled… It’s a new position and I have to learn a lot of things. At 33 years old, I’m still learning and it’s part of his career. Gaby had an extraordinary career, he was in the best team in history, I’m adapting, where. he decides, I have no problems,” he said about his change of position.
“Gabriel told me that about Javier (Mascherano, who acted as a defender at Barcelona). I like playing there, because we are a team with a lot of possession. If we were a team that defends it would be different. I am in a spectacular club, with an infrastructure impressive and I’m happy,” he explained
Rodrigo Battaglia and the main difference between Argentine and Brazilian clubs
“It’s the economy. They can bring in better players and it’s a big difference, beyond the innate talent of the Brazilian players. In Argentina we also have it, but here the clubs are economically strong, with better infrastructure and details, like flying on private planes, that make the difference.
Atletico Mineiro –
