Lucho González has “worst possible start” as Athletico coach

The rout for Corinthians sealed the fourth defeat in a row Lucho González in command of Athletico. The 43-year-old Argentine, hired to replace Uruguayan Martín Varini, has only one victory in his career as a coach, still with Ceará, in 2023.

For Hurricane, Lucho has terrible numbers. There are four defeats, with 11 goals conceded and only three scored.

The sequence also includes the 4-1 defeat by Racing, in the elimination of the quarter-finals of the Sudamericana, and the 1-0 defeats suffered by Flamengo and Botafogo. It is also worth mentioning that Lucho had 10 days of training, without losing any athlete to national teams, between the defeats to Botafogo and Corinthians.

Among all the coaches in the current season, this was the worst start to a job in the centenary year. Juan Carlos Osorio had two wins and two draws, while Cuca put together a run of eight consecutive victories.

Uruguayan Martín Varini, fired due to poor results, recorded three wins and a draw at the beginning of his time at Rubro-Negro. Even assistant Juca Antonello, who took over the team in the transition between Cuca and Varini, had one victory and one defeat.

Athletico: Lucho has a 16% performance as a coach

Before arriving at Athletico, Lucho had poor numbers, with just one win, four draws and five defeats. Adding up his entire career as a coach, the Argentine only has a 16% success rate.

“There’s no secret to getting out of this situation other than through work. What we have left is to work, knowing that it’s a delicate moment and one we don’t imagine being in. We have to think positive, know that we have games in hand, that there will be direct confrontations in the which we have to prepare well to benefit from”, he said after the defeat.

Defensive vulnerability is one of the points recognized by the Athletico coach. The system with three defenders was intended to better protect goalkeeper Mycael’s goal, but it has not had the desired effect so far.

“What remains is this, focusing on work and our defensive system to stop conceding goals. Also knowing that, at times, we have conceded goals that are much more the rival’s merit than our demerit”, added the coach.

Autuori defended Lucho at Athletico

In the only demonstration by the red and black board to date, Paulo Autuori made a point of praising Lucho’s presence as coach. In the technical director’s view, the Argentine has complete identification with the club and knows Brazilian football.

“Lucho is a coach who identifies himself a lot. A change wouldn’t allow us to bring in someone who doesn’t know what Brazilian football is. We want continuity, and Lucho’s arrival has to do with that. A new coach, with ideas that reflect on your daily life”, said Autuori.

It is worth remembering that the decision to dismiss Varini was made by the current director, who also pointed out the change of coaches as Furacão’s main mistake in 2024.

With 10 games left until the end of the Brasileirão, Athletico is preparing to face a new direct duel against relegation. The team will face Fluminense, in a delayed game of the 17th round, taking place next Tuesday (22), at 7:30 pm, at Maracanã.

Schedule of matches still remaining for Furacão

• Fluminense x Athletico – Brasileirão – 10/22 (Tuesday), at 7:30 pm – Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (delayed game)
• Athletico x Cruzeiro – Brasileirão – 10/26 (Saturday), at 6:30 pm – Ligga Arena, in Curitiba
• Athletico x Vitória
• São Paulo x Athletico
• Athletico x Atlético-GO
• Bahia x Athletico
• Athletico x Fluminense
• Athletico x Bragantino
• Atlético-MG x Athletico
• Athletico x Atlético-MG – 19th round (delayed game)