Gareca made it clear that the news of the midfielder’s departure did not cause major inconveniences to the rest of the squad and that a call to the Chilean National Team does not guarantee ownership.
Ricardo Gareca, coach of the Chilean National Team, analyzed in the run-up to the clash against Colombia the controversy generated by the release of Carlos Palacios de la Roja, citing “personal issues.”
Given the various rumors that arose about the departure of the Colo Colo midfielder, Gareca expressed that “what happened with Carlos could be said to be unexpected, more than anything. How do I take it? “Personal issues… I can’t go into more detail than that.”
Along with this, he specified that he did not speak personally with Palacios, as some media outlets expressed, pointing out that “I didn’t talk to him, because we had given him the time to come with the family for lunch and dinner and at 11:00 p.m. to sleep. ANDor I had my children, grandchildren at my house and I already had everything organized to arrive at 11:00 p.m. Carlos had asked to leave a little earlier. He had a certain urgency, I sent the physical trainer Néstor Bonilla to talk to him, but always aware of everything.”
Asked about the “personal issues” raised by Carlos Palacios, Gareca maintained that “When it’s personal issues, I don’t get involved anymore. I informed the boys the next day of Carlos’s decision and nothing more. Above all the things that were personal things, the group took it well, regardless of how good we were with a trip ahead of us. They are personal issues, no one knows in depth because he did not explain the personal issues. “When one refers to that, it remains something very private.”
Along these lines, he made it clear that the news of the midfielder’s departure did not cause major inconveniences to the rest of the squad and that a call to the Chilean National Team does not guarantee ownership.
“I don’t commit to anyone, not even the most important ones. Young people always appear, suspensions, there are injuries, different things that a team puts in and that’s why the team performs, obtains results. One has to prioritize. In this case, it is the only thing I can talk about Palacios. Personal issues simply have to be respected. “He has to resolve his issues and I have to resolve mine,” he argued.
Doors closed for Carlos Palacios?
Ricardo Gareca also referred to the future of Carlos Palacios in La Roja, ensuring that “no Chilean player who can be taken into account has the closed doors of the national team. Not even anyone who you think might have a conflict with me about something.”
The La Roja coach reiterated that “all Chilean players have their doors open. I prioritize the health of the team. They could never make me argue with colleagues or players. I am in a position that has to do with the interests of a country. We all have the same goal. Beyond the fact that there may be criticism, you want the team to win.”
Regarding a possible call from Arturo Vidal, one of his critical audiences, Gareca asserted that “Vidal has his doors open, anyone. It doesn’t matter to me… Everyone’s doors are open and they can be called at any time. I interpret that the head is not where it should be. It may even be a gesture of nobility. I don’t interpret things wrong. I’m interested in letting people know that the group is doing well. We are ready to take this game forward.”