The coach of the National Team, Gustavo Alfaro, analyzed the gift of the Tricolor, before the match against Panama, for the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League.
Alfaro clarified that in Costa Rica “there is a short-term need, it is valid, but I will not change.”
Starting eleven: We work, analyze, watch, talk to the players. We received reports, to have a diagnosis to know where Costa Rica stands.
Starting eleven: We work, analyze, watch, talk to the players. We received reports, to have a diagnosis to know where Costa Rica stands.
We have measurements from Panama, from Mexico and it shows us a place where we have a lot of work on the side. We are looking, because there are players who have not recovered well and others that I want to see, so I will confirm tomorrow at 11.
If you look at the ranking, Panama is behind Costa Rica, if they win 3 games in a row, we have a complicated, difficult tie, but we have to look at things which we did not, because they also surpassed us on a physical level.
Patience: I believe that the improvement of the limit is very large, the capacity for improvement is very large, just because one asks for patience does not mean that one can allow the team to lose, we will win. I got to see the evolution of the team. If you believe that Costa Rica’s problems can be solved in two games…you need to do something that will last over time. There are things that Costa Rica doesn’t have. There are players under the age of 23 who need battles, adding experience until they find their balance.
We are the same in different places, here there is a short-term demand, valid, I understand, I will not change, criticism or questions will not change me, my job is to convince. the players in what we do.
Change of players: Here we come to try to change the players, there are some who leave and some who come. You must have patience, perseverance.
First you need to have a strong and competitive team, but that cannot be achieved in two training sessions.
Result: We have the material, it is clear that the vision is short, and the result is strong and the analysis is taken. Costa Rica has good players to form a good team.
You have to go with the process. If they want to turn this game around they have to play, they can’t beat Panama on the run.
Advice: With all due respect I tell you, I am a soccer coach, I have been sitting on a bench for 31 years, tell me a coach in the world that has never done that, I have to choose teams on the road.
When we talked, they told me that I should direct, it was not even asked. I can listen to everyone’s opinions, but when we talk about football, we talk about football, the truth is that I respect everyone, but when a football leader has to come and tell me something that it is wrong.
Before I started I was asked by the coaching staff, that was not discussed, the situations were not discussed, each area has idiosyncrasies, we analyzed everything.
Line of four or three center backs: This is a very valid option for me, but it depends on the players you have.
