Pablo Sánchez: Olimpia showed ability to recover and win Superclásico after Copa exit

Olimpia coach Pablo "Vitamina" Sánchez lauded his team's resilience, emphasizing their capacity to "turn the page" within 48 hours following their Copa Sudamericana exit. The squad demonstrated remarkable composure and tactical discipline to secure a crucial Superclásico victory against Cerro Porteño.

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We dominated the entire first half. Our game plan was quite clear, it was seen and reflected in possessions, scoring chances, number of crosses and corners.

Sánchez asserted that Olimpia dominated large portions of the match, with their performance reflecting the game plan. "We dominated the entire first half. Our game plan was quite clear, it was seen and reflected in possessions, scoring chances, number of crosses and corners," he stated. Despite conceding a goal that he felt was "unjust" given the flow of play, Sánchez highlighted the team's ability to maintain their calm and focus.

"Fortunately, I understand that the team maintained its calm. We didn't lose our way as we did the other day against Vasco, and probably therein lay the key to today's victory," Sánchez explained. He noted that the team's ability to not falter after falling behind was critical, contrasting it with previous performances.

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Fortunately, I understand that the team maintained its calm. We didn't lose our way as we did the other day against Vasco, and probably therein lay the key to today's victory.

The victory holds significant emotional weight for Sánchez and the team, coming immediately after the disappointment of being eliminated from a continental competition. "Today's match and the manner of it, because it was a classic, because it was at home, because we were coming off being eliminated from the Sudamericana, because we were losing, honestly, for us it is very satisfying," he expressed. He also acknowledged the crucial support from the home crowd in the final minutes, which provided the team with the energy to secure the win.

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We are not healing the wound of the Copa elimination with this. The Copa elimination is a reality.

However, Sánchez was careful not to overstate the impact of the win, clarifying that it does not erase the pain of their international elimination. "We are not healing the wound of the Copa elimination with this. The Copa elimination is a reality," he affirmed. Despite this, he believes the win could serve as a turning point for their league campaign, stating, "Here we haven't achieved the lead, we have it..." indicating a renewed focus on domestic competition.

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We had today the ability to turn the page in just 48 hours and go out and face the music in a very important match like the classic.