Lucho denies fear of relegation in the Brasileirão

Coach Lucho González said that the Athletico does not consider the possibility of being relegated in the Brasileirão. After the debut with the elimination for Racing in the Sudamericana, the coach said that, internally, there are no conversations about relegation to Series B in the year of Furacão’s centenary.

“It’s difficult now to make a general analysis. But I have no doubt that the season isn’t over yet. Nobody talks or thinks about relegation. That’s something that doesn’t exist at the club and isn’t feared,” said Lucho.

The club is relying on two delayed games, against Atlético-MG and Fluminense, which still have dates to be confirmed. With that, Furacão has 13 games remaining.

However, the scenario is difficult. Athletico hasn’t won in seven rounds and appears in 15th place with 31 points, three more than Corinthians, the first team in the relegation zoneand Vitória, which is on the edge of the drop zone. The rivals’ moment, however, is better, with two victories in the last three rounds.

To make matters worse, the sequence of games is complicated. Rubro-Negro will face Flamengo next Sunday (29), at 8pm, at Maracanã. After that, the team receives leader Botafogo and, subsequently, visits Corinthians.

Regarding the defeat suffered by Racing, Lucho assessed that the goal conceded 18 seconds into the game was decisive. In the commander’s view, the opening score was decisive for Athletico’s poor performance in the first half.

“The elimination really has to hurt, especially given our performance in the first half. We conceded a goal practically at the start of the game and that shook our psychology, our structure and our order”, he assessed.

13 finals, says steering wheel when asking Athletico to focus on Brasileirão

Midfielder Gabriel, who became a starter after Fernandinho’s injury, also became one of the squad’s leaders. After the defeat to Racing, the player asked for full attention.

“Now it’s time to focus completely on the Brazilian Championship so we can pick up the pieces, close ourselves even more and be able to improve. Only with work, dedication and personality can we get out of this situation to start winning, scoring points and moving up the table.

“There are 13 finals. It’s step by step and planning the next game to face it as 13 decisions and close the year in a good and dignified way for the club”, he added.

Athletico’s games until the end of the Brasileirão

• Flamengo x Athletico – Brasileirão – 29/09 (Sunday), at 8pm – Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro
• Athletico x Botafogo – Brasileirão – 10/05 (Saturday), at 4:30 pm – Ligga Arena, in Curitiba
• Corinthians x Athletico – Brasileirão – no date
• Athletico x Cruzeiro – Brasileirão – no date
• Athletico x Vitória – Brasileirão – no date
• São Paulo x Athletico – Brasileirão – no date
• Athletico x Atlético-GO – Brasileirão – no date
• Bahia x Athletico – Brasileirão – no date
• Athletico x Fluminense – Brasileirão – no date
• Athletico x Bragantino – Brasileirão – no date
• Atlético-MG x Athletico – Brasileirão – no date

Furthermore, Furacão has delayed first round games against Atlético-MG (home) and Fluminense (away). The dates must still be announced by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).