Bielsa Laments Players Absences in Strong Statement After Win, Blames Loss on Injuries and Suspensions

2024-07-11 17:30:09

“Obviously they could have won this game”said Bielsa after the win. “It was my turn to manage the team which, from my own opinion, was stronger in terms of individuality than the rival.”

Then, Bielsa made a strong statement: “When you lose anything it’s an excuse, but at one point we had to make a lot of adjustments. (Na hata) Nández, (Ronald) Araujo, (Mathias) Olivera, (Matías) Viña, (Rodrigo) Bentancur… The replacements for the players I nominated were no match for the players who replaced them.”

What happened to each player not being able to be in this important game? Nández could not play against Colombia due to suspension, Araujo was injured in the quarter-finals against Brazil, Olivera had to leave due to discomfort in the first match against Panama, Viña suffered an overload with Brazil who left him out of the semi-final and also Bentancur. he was injured.

“I take particular responsibility for not being able, for players to be able to go past the opponent, gain an advantage in the first half and take advantage of numerical superiority in the second half,” said Bielsa.

In addition, Bielsa admitted that he would have preferred “the Colombian player” Daniel Muñoz, who received a double caution before half-time, to have been sent off. Why did he say this? Bielsa was clear in his argument: “What happened in the second half is based on the way Colombia had to play to support the short man, it was a bigger difficulty for us than the one we had to overcome when eleven there.”

“In the second half with one more man the game became distorted because it was a game with countless interference. Unless everything happens within the rules, it is impossible to maintain a rhythm that allows the team to develop its game .“declared Bielsa

In conclusion, the coach expressed: “We did every possible path (to tie). We are not exempted from the responsibility because we were able to unbalance a game in which we were able to do that when we try every path.”