Coach Sánchez Credits Halftime Fixes for Olimpia's Improved Performance

Olimpia coach Pablo Sánchez attributed his team's improved second-half performance in their Copa Sudamericana match against Vasco da Gama to crucial halftime tactical adjustments. The Paraguayan club secured a valuable away draw in the first leg of the round of 16.

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We corrected some issues. There was a moment when you start to see that the play was going to be decided down the wing, and we were a bit far from our marks, so we adjusted that.

Sánchez openly discussed the team's first-half struggles, particularly their difficulty in maintaining possession and defending the wide areas. "We corrected some issues," he stated, explaining that the team was initially too spread out when defending. "There was a moment when you start to see that the play was going to be decided down the wing, and we were a bit far from our marks, so we adjusted that."

The coach detailed how Vasco da Gama attacked, noting patterns like advances by their fullbacks and wingers. He observed that Brazilian side's attacks often came through the left flank with ground passes and down the right with long balls. "So we detected that: on the left flank it was Renan's pass to Moreira or Cuiabano, and on the right flank their arrival was with a long ball. So we had to adjust those ball trajectories and be a little closer," Sánchez explained.

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So we had to adjust those ball trajectories and be a little closer.

Reflecting on the team's inability to retain the ball in the first half, Sánchez admitted they were fortunate to go into halftime scoreless. "The big problem of the first half was that the ball didn't last three passes," he said. "I, in fact, sat down at one point to analyze that situation while they were playing, and every time we recovered a ball, I counted to myself: one, two, we lost it; one, two, we lost it. And like that, obviously, it's very difficult and very dangerous. That's why I also understand that in the first half we were lucky to go into the break zero to zero, and we were able to correct in the second half."

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The big problem of the first half was that the ball didn't last three passes. I, in fact, sat down at one point to analyze that situation while they were playing, and every time we recovered a ball, I counted to myself: one, two, we lost it; one, two, we lost it.

Despite the team's collective struggles, Sánchez offered support to young player Eduardo Delmás, who had a difficult first half. "But Eduardo can give us things in different positions, and probably today it was difficult for him as a winger, but because it was difficult for the team, not...

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That's why I also understand that in the first half we were lucky to go into the break zero to zero, and we were able to correct in the second half.