Just as it happened to Lionel Scaloni and Ricardo Gareca, another Argentine coach, in this case Fernando Batista, will not be able to coach in the Copa América that takes place in the United States.
Due to leaving late in the second half of the match against Mexico, the Venezuelan coach will not be able to be this Sunday against Jamaica and his place will be taken by Leandro Cufré.
“Bocha is very hurt because he cannot be in charge of the team, it hurts as a coach, but we respect and accept Conmebol’s decision. There is nothing to object to,” said Cufré, in the press conference prior to the match.
Cufré, assistant to his compatriot Fernando Batista in the Venezuelan national team, said that the game plan and effort are “non-negotiable” elements for the Vinotinto, beyond the tactical system that is decided to be used.
The Argentine will sit on a Copa América bench for the first time as the first coach of a national team, but he stressed that his emotions do not change in the slightest.
“The emotion will be the same as in the other matches, because I know what I am doing. It doesn’t change me at all. I don’t feel any extra pressure. Here, decisions are always made together. This is the only way I know of working as a team,” he said.
It is possible that Venezuela will make several changes for the duel with Jamaica, which has already been eliminated from this Copa América.
“Regardless of the system, our idea is non-negotiable, to go out and propose, to try to get the rival team to touch as little as possible in our half of the field. The players are very clear, the effort is not going to change,” he assured.
Jon Aramburu happy to be with the national team
Jon Aramburu, defender of Real Sociedad and the Venezuelan national team, expressed this Saturday his gratitude for the support he receives from his club and Vinotinto and considered it a key element to explain his great growth seen last season.
“The key is the people who surround you on a daily basis, in the club as in the national team there were people who were fundamental for my evolution. They are people who want to see you improve,” said Aramburu at the press conference prior to Jamaica-Venezuela in Austin (Texas) in the Copa América.
“At Real it’s more of the same, the more experienced players are watching you and want you to follow that path. Real has always been close to me when I’ve been in the national team,” he added.
The 21-year-old Caracas native made his Copa America debut in Los Angeles in the victory against Mexico that gave Venezuela a mathematical pass to the quarterfinals.
“It was the perfect setting to make my debut. I lived the field and the Copa America to the fullest. Let’s keep going, we’re focused on the next match tomorrow,” he said.
A draw will suffice for Venezuela to advance to the quarter-finals as group winner.
“Tomorrow we hope that we are all plugged in from the first minute and that we do not have to suffer as we did at the beginning with Mexico,” he stated.
And he praised the Vinotinto team, which he defined as a family.
“The national team is the most beautiful thing there is. I feel privileged to be here. It is an honour,” he said.
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