Sampaoli sees merits in Atlético-MG’s victory, but admits: “We have to improve a lot” | athletic-mg

The first half was difficult for the Argentine team, who claimed an unmarked penalty and conceded an early goal. For most of the stage, he was unable to disrupt the Corinthians defense. In the second, the Rooster improved and went to look for the return. Sampaoli says the team deserved to earn three points precisely for their performance in the final 45 minutes.

– Emotionally, in the second half the team managed to concentrate, created chances, tied the game, kept playing.

“It was a game, as we imagined, with a team that was looking for and another that was waiting. I think we deserve the victory.”

Sampaoli explained that he tried to start playing with a different formation, using three defenders (with Allan on the line), Jair leading the defense and six more advanced men. What did not work. In the second he advanced the steering wheel and managed to dominate the actions, but without much quality. The coach had it clear: to stay at the top of the table, he will have to improve a lot.

– We imagined a 3-1-6, which we put together to start, with Arana advancing a little more than Allan, to reach the attack with Keno, but it did not work. So, I tweaked it, with Jair a little ahead of time to see if we could find a way to break through Corinthians’ low and closed block.

“I think that in the second half we achieved more dominance actions, but without much clarity. It was a game that the team won, but we have to improve a lot to stay where we are “

Sampaoli also praised the bravery of the team in the second half, focusing on turning the game around, even without having as much quality in the game, as it usually has in other matches.

– We have to be a team convinced that, for dreams to come true, we have to concentrate. At first the team was a bit confused, then they let go, won the field, with some lack of play, but with a lot of courage, focusing on change.