The Italian coach said: “It was an excellent defensive match. I saw the team possessing the ball better and playing with more fluidity. In the end, it was a good draw, and we leave satisfied and confident for the next match.”
He added: “I think the conditions were tough for a more complicated match. I believe we had good opportunities with Vinicius and Casemiro in the second half. Yes, we could have performed better offensively, but we must also consider the strength of the opponent. Ecuador played a good match, as did we.”
Regarding the poor condition of the pitch: “As I mentioned, we lacked some attacking ability. Ecuador defended well, and it wasn’t easy to find spaces between the lines. We struggled to get out of the penalty area and didn’t always possess the ball well in the final third of the pitch. I don’t want to make excuses, but the pitch wasn’t in ideal condition for playing.”
He concluded about facing Paraguay in the next round: “It will be a different match; I believe we will be more capable of controlling the game. We need to play a faster, more flexible, and intense match. I think that’s what we’ll do at home.”
