Pablo responds about provocation to Coritiba

Striker Pablo minimized the provocation he made to rival Coritiba after the Campeonato Paranaense title, at the beginning of Athletico’s centenary year. On social media, fans remember the statement in which he made fun of Coritiba’s relegation in 2009, the year of Alviverde’s centenary.

“There are clubs that fell to the Second Division in their centenary year, and we already won a title at the beginning of the season. This is very important,” said Pablo, in April.

Asked about the statement, as Furacão runs a serious risk of also being relegated upon completing 100 years of history,

“It’s a moment of euphoria and you end up saying things. There are people waiting for a tragedy to happen with Athletico to remember. I want it not to happen and we’re going to do everything we can to stay in the First Division,” he said.

“I don’t care. I’m not worried about this video, it doesn’t make me more or less motivated. I’m going to look for motivation not because of what I said, but because of the situation we’re in,” he added.

+ Vitória provokes Athletico after ruining the pact: “In the master’s house…”

Pact remains, says attacker

The attacker also said that the red-black pact remains even after the comeback defeat to Vitória, which made the Athletico return to the Brasileirão relegation zone.

“You don’t even have to run away. Losing a game, winning, and even more so with the crowd we had and everyone supporting us. But the pact continues. Just because we made the pact doesn’t mean things would be easy”, said the striker.

Furacão lost again after the triumph over Cruzeiro, which ended the worst sequence in the club’s history. There were eight defeats and three draws in the 11 rounds without winning.

Despite assuming responsibility for the cast and management, Pablo still made a point of highlighting the importance of the fans in the final stretch of the season. The 32-year-old player insisted that there are seven games left for Athletico in Série A, four of which will be in Curitiba.

“When you are in a difficult situation, you need to join forces. We are suffering a lot with this whole situation, but we are aware that we can and will be able to turn things around,” he declared.

“The responsibility is ours, athlete, commission and board. But we really need the support of the fans. There is no point in giving up at this moment. We need the Arena to fill up again and encourage us”, he added.

Athletico is preparing to face São Paulo next Saturday (9), at 9pm, at Morumbis, for the 33rd round of the Brasileirão.