DT Ricardo Valiño: Seeing them play with the love they feel for the shirt fills me with pride

Published at: 06/02/2024 02:17 PM

The coach of Vinotinto Under 23, Ricardo Valiño, after the tie with Argentina 2-2 at the start of the final phase of the Olympic qualifying, highlighted the attitude of the Venezuelan players, to stand as equals , against teams like Argentina, with players with an immense hierarchy.

In statements to the media, Valiño said that he personally enjoys watching the Venezuelan people play a lot, “because when I see their commitment, the love with which they wear that flannel, it fills me with pride”.

“It was a match where both teams had goal options, I think it was a very nice match for the people, for the spectator, because beyond the two goals on each side, there were good interventions from the goalkeepers, we arrived clearly, head-to-head against Leandro Brey (Argentinian goalkeeper),” he said.

He also said that while playing 11 against 11, a good game was being played. “We knew that we could hurt the backs of Argentina's wingers, who play very loudly, and that's what we did, the first goal came because of a situation like that.”

“After the expulsion, the game degenerates a bit, because we lose our emotional balance and that kind of party, against these rivals who have this hierarchy, a mistake leaves you out,” he acknowledged.

The coach explained that in the meantime what they did was try to lower the heart rate, “explain to him that a mistake like that can make you throw away all the sacrifice of a tournament, in the instances that we are playing, when a mistake eliminates you”.

Regarding the departure of David Martínez, he explained that it was not a tactical change, “with 4 minutes left until the end of the game, he tells me that it was very hard on the twin, we asked him to hold on a little so as not to burn a window”. He added that it was the same case with Matías Lacava, “he came out because of a nuisance.”

On the other hand, Valiño clarified that the anger was because Kevin Kelsy's definition was diverted by the goalkeeper, so it must have been a corner kick, “that's where Arhentina's second goal came from, that's why the anger is”.

Looking ahead to the next match against the Brazilian national team, the coach assured that it is mandatory to restructure the midfield, after the expulsion of Ortega: “We have options and those who have entered have done so in good form. We always say that 23 should be ready for when we need them.”

“Each match is a different story, they are never repeated, the interpreters of the game situations are different, we will have to analyze it well and plan game by game, as we have done throughout the pre-Olympic period,” he said.

In addition, I make it clear that he is the coach of Venezuela, “I defend these colors to the last and that's what I transmit to the players. When you're a coach, your eyes and your heart watch over the team you train, that you lead, and my commitment right now is clear to the Venezuelan national team.

Mazo News Team