"Valorizing Botafogo's Posture After Defeat: 'Strong, Dynamic and Intense'"

O Botafogo didn't start the Brazilian league on a good note, as 🌝 they were defeated by Cruzeiro 3-2. The team finished the game with one less player due to the red card 🌝 shown to Alexander Barbosa in the second half. However, the team did manage to equalize the game, but conceded the 🌝 third goal during injury time.

After the game, in a press conference, the Portuguese coach, Artur Jorge, explained why he decided 🌝 to field 4 attackers and stated that the team's physical fitness level is not yet ideal.

- In terms of what 🌝 we wanted for the game's dynamics and intensity, we have to admit that we have a team with a lower 🌝 physical limit than what we would like at this time - he stated.

- We are running against time to fight 🌝 against this, so that we can train well, with three games in three days. We have to adapt and overcome 🌝 this limitation to achieve what we truly want. Today, we had some examples of a strong, dynamic, and intense Botafogo, 🌝 which is the team we are working towards, and we need some time for that. We have the expectation of 🌝 improving in the next game, but sustained by victories, which is what guides our work as well.

The Portuguese coach also 🌝 stated that there are many positive aspects to take away from the defeat, such as the players' commitment to perform 🌝 well, even in challenging circumstances. Barbosa was sent off in the 26th minute of the second half.

- We need 🌝 to take (advantage of) the positives that we did today. The players had tremendous willingness to do things right. They 🌝 gave their all in a game that had many setbacks. When the context isn't favorable, it's even harder. We opened 🌝 the scoring, then we lost Marlon early, and we had two clear opportunities to score again, one of which was 🌝 without a goalkeeper, and in another situation, we were left with one less player. This team faced many setbacks and 🌝 fought until the end. That's what I'll take away. The team's commitment to fighting for the result, even though it 🌝 wasn't what we wanted.

In his press conference, the coach highlighted that there is still much work to be done to 🌝 elevate the team's performance. Additionally, he stated that the team is currently below par physically.

- We also had the fact 🌝 that we were ahead in the score and the opposing team's reaction while playing at home, trying to get a 🌝 result. But, we needed to control the ball, and be able to attack the opponent and create situations to score. 🌝 That's one aspect we need to improve. There's still a lot of work to be done to get this Botafogo 🌝 to the level we believe we can reach.

After two consecutive away games, the Alvinegro will return to play at home, 🌝 at Nilton Santos, in the Brazilian Championship. They will first face Atlético-GO on Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm. Then, they 🌝 will face Juventude on the following Sunday (21), at 6:30 pm.

Artur Jorge's Responses

Expulsion of Alexander Barboza

- That is an issue 🌝 that we will discuss internally in the way that I believe it should be discussed. What is left for you 🌝 is that we lost a player due to a justified call by the referee. I cannot yet judge whether it 🌝 was done well or not, but I must agree with the decision because they are there to decide.

Emotional State of 🌝 the Team

- We will go into the next game with the same motivation that we have shown here today. We 🌝 have been trying to find, and I have been talking to the entire squad, that we cannot live in euphoria 🌝 and depression. Who plays three games in three days, or four in four, needs to have emotional balance and consistency. 🌝 We cannot be euphoric when we win or depressed when we lose. We need to find and adjust that balance.

Next 🌝 Game Against Atlético-GO

- We will go into the next game with the same motivation that we have shown here today. 🌝 We have been trying to find, and I have been talking to the entire squad, that we cannot live in 🌝 euphoria and depression. Who plays three games in three days, or four in four, needs to have emotional balance and 🌝 consistency. We cannot be euphoric when we win or depressed when we lose. We need to find and adjust that 🌝 balance. And I want us to be more balanced is to win.

We will work in the next few days to 🌝 prepare and recover the team. Marçal played 45 minutes and couldn't play any more. We have some players who are 🌝 not in peak physical condition. We will work to try and get the first three points in the competition.

Differences between 🌝 Portuguese and Brazilian Football

- I think it's a bit difficult to compare the intensity (between Brazil and Portugal) because it's 🌝 different. The quality of the players exists and competes with mine, at this stage, to evaluate the performance of Botafogo 🌝 within the context of Brazilian football. But I want this team to have the ability to be a dominant team, 🌝 one that can create and put on a show for our fans.