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Abel Braga steps into the technical area of Beira-Rio with his traditional moccasins, makes a prayer during the minute of silence and from there he does not leave during the 90 minutes of his rehearsal at Inter. He orients himself, wears the sole of his shoe and lives every moment of the 1-0 defeat against América-MG, on Wednesday night, for the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.
+ Abel takes responsibility in defeat
Perhaps no one feels at home on the synthetic grass rectangle in front of the Colorado bank and on the edge of the field like him. It is his seventh time at the club. But the 2006 World Cup coach feels for the first time what it’s like to lead Beira-Rio without a crowd.
Abel Braga rejoins Inter against América-MG – Photo: Eduardo Deconto / ge.globo
OR give closely followed Abel Braga in his (re) debut with Inter, in the stands a few meters from the bus. And below are the gestures, reactions and also the suffering of the coach with the defeat.
Abel’s first step after leaving the locker room was to give Lisca, his old acquaintance, a long hug. From there, it went directly to the edge of the field.
And there he stayed, always with the protective mask lowered around his neck and with a third in hands. The amulet is your inseparable companion, along with the countless chewing gums he consumed during the game.
Abel Braga, in his debut with Inter against América-MG – Photo: Eduardo Deconto / ge
Abel said a prayer only during the minute of silence. It was the last moment of peace before the ball rolled.
The style of the coach on the edge of the field is a notable change for those who cover the matches in Beira-Rio in 2020. Abelão yells, guides and gestures, of course. But he doesn’t even remember Eduardo Coudet’s high-pitched and incessant screams in Spanish.
Inter did not play well and took a risk on defense. And the technician tried to alert. There were many “saaaaaai” and “there are two for one” they shouted at the defenders to advance the lines and also prevent America-MG from having numerical superiority on the sides of the field.
In vain. It even looked like sung stone. Abel gave the warning, but the team did not listen. And Rodolfo took advantage of a cross from the right to score the only goal of the game.
Best moments: Internacional 0 x 1 América-MG, for the quarterfinals of the Brazil Cup
The technician’s reaction was immediate. He spread and lowered his arms, turned his back to the field and let out a complaint in the air towards the reserve bench. Minutes after the goal, he called Edenílson, his captain, and called him to try to organize the team, without much success.
Abel went to the locker room at halftime with slow steps. And he took steps full of energy again. Inter pressed and the coach tried to dominate his team.
They “played together” and screamed every time the team pushed the ball back instead of attacking. The moment of despair came when Peglow sent an attempt from the right.
Abel Braga guides Edenílson during the match against América-MG – Photo: Eduardo Deconto / ge
As the affliction grew and the game progressed in its final minutes, Abel received from his assistant, Leomir, a clipboard with a tactical board. The technician made adjustments to the magnetic field before making changes, but was always attentive to the actual field.
The substitutions only worked on the coach’s board. Not in the field, to the anguish and irritation of Abel Braga, but until the final whistle. Then the frustration turned to hugs: The coach made it a point to greet his players one by one on the way to the locker room.
With the defeat, Inter need to win the second leg at Independência by two goals difference to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Cup. A victory by goal leads the decision to penalties.
But first, the team returns to focus on Brasileirão. Colorado faces Santos on Saturday, at 4:30 p.m., in Vila Belmiro, for matchday 21.
