The Olympia of Pedro Troglio he stumbled again in a CONCACAF League semifinal against a tic team, it had happened to him in 2019 with Saprissa and now in 2021 with Alajuelense who has left him empty-handed by beating him on penalties 5-4 after a goalless draw in 90 minutes.
The Olympic coach was saddened by the elimination, but far from claiming any of his players, he highlighted the physical sacrifice made in the last two months where they have played 19 games in 58 days, according to his count.
I’ll see. THIS WAS THE CRIMINALS THAT LEFT OLYMPIA
Troglio also commented on how they received the news from footballers Javier Portillo and Edrick Menjívar who tested positive on a coronavirus PCR test that automatically ruled them out for the game.
What did he say to the boys after they were eliminated?
I thanked them for what they have done. Today we culminate with game 19 and have made an impressive effort, I have nothing to complain about. They played a good game, they deserved so much more; we went to the penalties and we didn’t have a chance (to win), but we made a sacrifice playing every three days and facing teams that rest, that wait and get us tired, I take my hat off to these guys.
Was getting to the penalties the fairest or do you think they deserved more?
I feel like we deserved more. We generate the best situations, we had more of the ball considering that it is a team that has just rested, but the merits do not count, you have to score goals and in the penalties we were unlucky to miss one.
What does he end up with despite the defeat?
The attitude of how we approach it, the pressure on the whole track, the determination with which they did it. We had problems that an hour before coming to the stadium we found out that the other two boys (Samuel Córdoba and Ever Alvarado) could not play, we were filled with things that unraveled the idea, I know deep inside that we deserved to be the final.
Did the mood of the players who tested positive influence the mood?
We did the studies on Monday and today at breakfast we found out that there are two positives, unfortunately we were not warned that those who had been in contact with them could not play, we missed five players, there should not have been played, but it was done and here we are.
How is Harold Fonseca, did he manage to talk to him?
I have nothing to say, I went to hug him, he is a great penalty shooter, we always do it in training and he is one of the best, we asked him and he was determined and had the misfortune to fail, no there is nothing to say but to hug him and lift his spirits because he made a good match.
What values does this group leave you with for what is to come?
That we have lived up to Champions, the local league and this tournament, we go empty-handed having done well for something else, but I stick with what they have given and to be the only club in the world that has played so much in two months, there have been 19 games in 58 days, it’s kind of crazy. I was happy, I would have liked to be champion, but now to be with my forehead up.
What analysis do you make of tic football and hodureño?
There is an interesting parity, a similar level, they are two of the best teams in Central America, but what I have noticed here is the good condition of the playing fields and this conveys a faster game and we come from heavy terrain, it clearly feels, but that’s what I’ve noticed.