DistantNews
Support us
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Gustavo Costas on bringing sidelined players back: “They still have a long way to go”

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Cerro Porteño coach Gustavo Costas reinstated Gastón Giménez, Cristhian Paredes and Lucas Merolla after injuries reduced his options.
  • Costas said the players needed more physical and group training, and accepted responsibility for using them after only a few sessions.
  • He praised their enthusiasm and highlighted Giménez’s 45-minute performance after returning to the squad.

With injuries piling up and Cerro Porteño needing to change course, Gustavo Costas brought several players back into the first-team picture after they had been sidelined under his predecessor, Ariel Holan. Gastón Giménez, Cristhian Paredes and Lucas Merolla were among those recalled.

We need them. They are being paid in full, and we want to see them. I know all three, and I think that if we get them physically right, they can contribute. We need everyone.

· Gustavo CostasThe Cerro Porteño coach explained why sidelined players returned to the squad as injuries reduced his options.

Costas said he initially believed the players had fallen out with club management, but later learned that was not the case. Cerro Porteño, he argued, could not afford to discard any available option. “We need them. They are being paid in full, and we want to see them. I know all three, and I think that if we get them physically right, they can contribute. We need everyone,” he said.

The coach broadened that appeal beyond the squad, calling for a collective effort across the club during a difficult period. “As I said on the first day, we need everyone: those who cook, those who clean the club, everyone. And we need the players even more,” Costas said. He also said he understood how a coaching change can alter the conditions for players.

As I said on the first day, we need everyone: those who cook, those who clean the club, everyone. And we need the players even more.

· Gustavo CostasCostas called for a unified effort across Cerro Porteño during a difficult period.

Asked about the performances of Giménez, Paredes and Blas Riveros after they entered the game, Costas acknowledged that their lack of training with the group had left them short of football rhythm. “They still have a long way to go. I told them that if they came on and played badly, it was all on me, my fault,” he said.

They still have a long way to go. I told them that if they came on and played badly, it was all on me, my fault.

· Gustavo CostasThe coach accepted responsibility for using players who had trained only briefly with the team.

Despite that physical deficit, Costas said the returning players showed desire and enthusiasm. He was particularly encouraged by Giménez, who completed the second half for 45 minutes, longer than the coach expected. “I saw them well, eager and enthusiastic,” Costas said, adding that they still had room to continue working.

I saw them well, eager and enthusiastic.

· Gustavo CostasCostas praised the attitude of the players returning after being sidelined.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog