Fluminense Coach Zubeldía Addresses Squad Depth and Player Development
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Fluminense coach Luís Zubeldía recently discussed the competitive depth of his squad following a 1-0 victory over Internacional in the Brazilian Championship. He addressed questions regarding playing time for players like Rubén Lezcano, Lavega, and santi Moreno, emphasizing his commitment to evaluating all members of the team, even those who aren’t regular starters. Zubeldía highlighted the challenges of balancing player development wiht the need for consistent results.
Assessing Squad Depth and Competition
Zubeldía acknowledged the abundance of talent within the Fluminense roster. He stated he closely monitors players during training, alongside his staff, to assess their progress and potential contributions. “I have a lot of players, I see the growth they have in training. I’m a coach who is constantly watching who doesn’t play. My entire staff, my committee is watching. From there we will see the performance,” he explained.
He admitted the difficulty of making decisions that may appear unfair to some players, recognizing that factors like youth, international adaptation, and experience all play a role. “I may be unfair to some, the coach always has to make decisions. It’s not easy. Some are in the process of growth, due to youth, because they are foreigners, for different reasons,” Zubeldía said.
Focusing on Player Development
The coach specifically mentioned several players undergoing development, including Riquelme, Lezcano, Lavega, and Moreno. He attributed potential challenges to the adjustment period faced by foreign players. Zubeldía also praised the performances of players who recently contributed to the team’s success, such as Facundo, Otávio, and Hércules.
“it’s the same process as Riquelme, who can still grow a lot with me. It could be because he is a foreigner, like lezcano, lavega, Moreno,” Zubeldía noted. He continued, “I have players who are very competitive, like Keno, Soteldo, who has a lot of experience. Today Facundo played, who was barbaric, barbaric. I was very happy with him. Otávio also came in and gave balance to the team, Hércules too. I try to pay attention to everyone and then I make decisions.”
Key Takeaways
* Competitive squad: Fluminense boasts a deep squad with numerous players vying for playing time.
* Development Focus: Coach Zubeldía prioritizes the development of all players, including those who are not currently starters.
* Fairness and Difficulty: Zubeldía acknowledges the difficulty of making fair decisions when balancing player development with the need for immediate results.
* Recent Performances: The coach highlighted the positive contributions of players like Facundo, Otávio, and Hércules.
This approach suggests a commitment to building a strong, well-rounded team capable of competing on multiple fronts. Zubeldía’s focus on player development will be crucial for Fluminense’s long-term success in the Brazilian Championship and beyond.