Velázquez Takes Responsibility for Levski Loss, Defends Rotation Policy
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Despite a recent setback against Slavia, levski coach Julio Velázquez staunchly defended his squad rotation strategy, ultimately accepting responsibility for the defeat. The Spanish manager emphasized his unwavering confidence in his players and reiterated he would make the same decisions again, even in retrospect.
The loss has sparked debate regarding the impact of Velázquez’s frequent lineup changes. However, the coach dismissed the notion that alterations to the starting eleven were solely to blame, stating, “If you like us to say that the changes are to blame, fine. And if I had to repeat my decision 100 times, I would have played the same line-up.”
Consistent Rotation a Season-long Strategy
Velázquez clarified that rotating the squad has been a consistent approach throughout the championship. He argued that attributing success solely to a stable lineup is inconsistent, noting, “When many changes are made and we win, we cannot say that the players are phenomenal, and now when we lost, they are not.” He expressed satisfaction with his team’s attitude, stating the players “gave me confidence with their behavior.”
The manager acknowledged past criticisms, suggesting that previous victories overshadowed concerns about player positioning. “If we had lost in the previous games you would have said that Aldair was playing on the wing. We scored 12 goals and everything is forgotten,” he remarked.
key Moments and Preventable Errors
Analyzing the match itself, Velázquez pinpointed a lack of sharpness in the final quarter as a contributing factor, despite acknowledging his team’s overall dominance. He identified the first goal conceded as a pivotal moment, describing it as a “collective mistake” and “preventable.”
“After this goal, we were not able to get back into the game and reorganize,” Velázquez explained. He further highlighted a second defensive lapse that compounded the issue, leading to increased nervousness and inaccuracies within the team. Despite these shortcomings, he maintained that, “objectively, we did not deserve this result.”
Coach Accepts Blame, Emphasizes Collective Responsibility
Ultimately, Velázquez took full accountability for the outcome. “If we have to single out any culprit,it is the coach,” he stated. He acknowledged a disconnect between effort and execution, noting the team’s desire to perform outweighed their tactical precision. “We tried, but more on desire and muscle than being well-groomed. What we lacked was to be well organized in attack.”
The coach also pointed to missed opportunities, despite creating numerous chances. He attributed the failure to convert to a combination of inaccuracies and strong opposition defense. “Due to our inaccuracies or what the opponent offered, we were unable to score that vital first goal.”
Looking Ahead: Trust and Balance
Despite the disappointment, Velázquez remains optimistic and committed to his players. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and maintaining a balanced perspective. “we have to learn, I stand behind my players, I trust everyone,” he affirmed. He also underscored the team’s current standing, stating, “the team is in first place and the guys didn’t win it in the lottery, it’s due to their work.”
Velázquez concluded by advocating for a measured assessment of the team’s performance, rejecting both excessive praise and undue criticism. “Neither the sports and technical staff and the players are phenomenal at 7:0, nor are we tragic when we lose. Balance and congratulations to the winners.”
