110924 MIA vs ATL: Post Match MIA Press Conference

Summary

In this interview, the coach reflects on a tough playoff loss, expressing disappointment over failing to meet high expectations despite the team’s strong regular-season performance. He defends tactical decisions, like changing to a four-man defense and incorporating specific players, but acknowledges the risks involved. The coach highlights referee decisions and fortunate moments as key factors in the loss. He emphasizes the team’s progress from last season, and while the defeat is painful, especially with Messi's limited time in the league, he thanks the fans for their unwavering support and encourages them to stay positive moving forward.

Takeaways

• 😀 The coach believes the team deserved to win the match, citing multiple goal-scoring opportunities and strong performance throughout the game.
• 😀 The third goal conceded by the team was a crucial moment, with the coach highlighting controversial referee decisions that may have influenced the outcome.
• 😀 Despite the team's elimination, the coach acknowledged overall progress from the previous year, with significant improvements at both the club and team levels.
• 😀 A key tactical change was the decision to play with four defenders instead of three, a strategy influenced by the improved performance of a specific player in training.
• 😀 The team faced a tough challenge in containing Atlanta's offensive players, but the coach felt the system was working until the unfortunate moments during the game.
• 😀 The coach mentioned a crucial moment involving Lionel Messi's involvement, where he was less connected to the game as it progressed, affecting the team's offensive chances.
• 😀 Regarding substitutions, the coach reflected on the decision to start with certain players like Benja, emphasizing that other options like Leo Campana were considered for more attacking opportunities.
• 😀 The coach expressed frustration over the team's inability to meet the high expectations for the season, particularly in playoff games and key knockout matches.
• 😀 The referee's decisions, particularly a handball incident that was not reviewed, were seen as pivotal moments that could have changed the course of the game.
• 😀 Despite the disappointment, the coach expressed gratitude for the fans' unwavering support, recognizing their importance in helping the team feel strong, especially during home games.

Q & A

What did the coach think about the team's overall performance in the match?

The coach felt that the team deserved to win the match, as they created numerous goal-scoring opportunities and dominated in terms of possession, especially near the opponent's goal. However, a critical refereeing decision and their inability to capitalize on these chances led to their elimination.

What was the reason behind the coach's decision to change to a four-man defense?

The coach made the decision to switch to a four-man defense because of the team's growing confidence in certain players, particularly Matías, and the need to add an extra attacker. This change aimed to increase offensive pressure on the opponent, although it also carried the risk of leaving more space for Atlanta to exploit.

How did the coach justify the tactical decision despite the outcome?

The coach justified the tactical change by explaining that it was the right move based on the team's needs and the players' development. Although the decision didn't lead to a positive result, he believed it was the best approach given the available options and the match context.

What are the coach's thoughts on the refereeing decisions in the match?

The coach criticized two refereeing decisions—one involving a clear handball in the first half that went unpunished, and another related to the third goal, which he believed was decisive. He also compared it to a similar incident in a previous match, highlighting his disappointment with the referee's handling of these moments.

How did the coach feel about the team's performance this season in light of Messi's limited time?

The coach acknowledged the disappointment of not achieving their goals, particularly with Messi's limited time in the league. However, he emphasized the overall progress the team had made compared to the previous season and noted that despite falling short, the club's trajectory remained positive.

What message did the coach have for the fans after the loss?

The coach expressed deep gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season. He acknowledged the importance of the home crowd in the second half of the season and apologized for not being able to deliver the desired results, recognizing the emotional investment of the fans.

What role did the coach see as important in the team's evolution throughout the season?

The coach saw significant improvement in the club's overall development compared to the previous year, noting that their growth was evident in both the team's performance and the club's standing. However, he recognized that the ultimate goal of winning had not been achieved.

How did the coach assess the team’s performance in knockout-style tournaments (such as the playoffs and Leagues Cup)?

The coach reflected that while the team performed well during the regular season, winning the Supporters' Shield and maintaining consistency, they struggled in knockout tournaments like the playoffs and the Leagues Cup. He acknowledged that knockout games are different, as they are limited to 90 minutes, and errors in these short formats can be decisive.

What did the coach think was the biggest challenge in the knockout matches?

The coach pointed out that in knockout matches, mistakes become more critical because there are no second chances. The intensity of these 90-minute games makes any errors or missed opportunities more impactful, which contrasts with the longer format of the regular season.

How did the coach feel about the team's future, despite not meeting the high expectations this season?

The coach was optimistic about the team's future, despite the setback. He believed that the progress made this season—both on and off the field—was significant, and that the club should continue striving toward their objectives in the upcoming season, without being discouraged by the current disappointment.