Julio César Falcioni

Julio César Falcioni, Banfield's coach, expressed confidence about the rematch that his team will have next Tuesday against Independiente del Valle and highlighted that "if we do the same thing in Quito" as what happened at the Florencio Sola stadium, "we can advance" in the Copa Libertadores.

Taladro frustrated

The Taladro was left frustrated by the 1-1 draw that the Ecuadorian team obtained in stoppage time, from a penalty converted by the Argentine Maximiliano Barreiro (former Deportivo Merlo). However, Falcioni showed optimism, facing the rematch match that will take place on Tuesday 6 at the Atahualpa stadium.

"We did things correctly"

"I know we did things correctly. I am very satisfied with the seriousness with which we played until the 89th minute," said Falcioni, who returned to the bench after a complex recovery process following a surgical procedure on his larynx for a nodule in his throat.

Mistake that was costly

"We had opportunities in both the first half and the start of the second," described the coach, who led the southern institution to its only title in professional soccer (Apertura 2009). "The advantage (1-0), although short, was good. But we made a mistake and paid dearly," he lamented.

Blaming the defenders

The coach considered that "the penalty play" that ended with Independiente del Valle's equalizer "could have been resolved by throwing the ball to the sideline," in a sort of public incrimination of defender Jorge Rodríguez. "I have a lot of faith in the team. We are in good shape. We will work to counter the effects of the altitude," explained Falcioni, who also indicated that in the Ecuadorian capital it is necessary to play "with the ball at our feet."

Grateful to the fans

Finally, the coach thanked the local fans for the reception they gave him and pointed out that "Banfield fans supported me at all times, always." The Banfield team will train this afternoon at the Luis Guillón training ground. The starters in the match against Independiente del Valle will do regenerative work.

Meanwhile, the substitutes will play football and prepare to be the base of the team that will play this Saturday against Atlético Tucumán, for the 14th round of the Superliga. The albiverde delegation will travel on Sunday to the Ecuadorian capital for the match on Tuesday 6.