Coach Renato ‘Gaúcho’ Portaluppi announced this Saturday in Montevideo that he is leaving his continuity on the bench of the Flamengo, hours after losing the final of the 62nd edition of the Copa Libertadores 2-1 with Palmeiras in added time.
“At this time it is difficult to speak. The most important thing of all was that at that time I tried to give the maximum of myself with the group. My contract ends the next day 30. The decision is made by the Flamengo management,” he said in the Press conference.
The coach, the only Brazilian who has been champion of the Libertadores as a player and as a coach, in both cases with the Gremio (1983 and 2017), said that at this time it is easy for criticism to come.
He also stated that no one is going to consider the numerous casualties suffered by his squad this season. “That is not going to change in Brazil. Only the one who wins is considered good. The next day it is not. We have to be prepared for that. I still have hope that it will improve at some point,” he said.
He acknowledged that his colleague, the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, tactically planned the final game very well and stressed that he has a “great team”. He affirmed that his players could not generate opportunities and that, although what he wanted most was to score a goal, Palmeiras did it before.
Regarding Andreas Pereira’s mistake that cost the title, the former footballer recalled that a final is defined “by details” and that he was not going to blame the player. “If anyone is guilty here, it is me,” he said.
Everton Ribeiro advocates turning the page now
Everton Ribeiro also intervened at the press conference, who argued that it was not “easy” to measure up to Palmeiras, since the counterattack game they practiced meant that they had to leave “many spaces” and that “some passes did not fit.” The midfielder said the squad must “look forward” despite regretting defeat at the moment. “We know that we have to do even more to deserve to reach the final and be champion,” he said.
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