Sebastián Battaglia, after leaving Boca: the conflict with Almendra and how the relationship with Riquelme ended

Mouth play tonight against the Agropecuario de Carlos Casares at the Padre Martearena Stadium in Salta for the round of 16 Argentine Cup. 1,400 kilometers away, in Tigre, Sebastiano Battagliareigning champion of the tournament, he offered an interview in which he reviewed his cycle leading the team and although he said he “regrets nothing”, he made it clear that he was wrong in his statements after the elimination of the Libertadores against Corinthians.

“I don’t regret anything. But reviewing this whole section, one thing or another makes us think and it could have been done differently. But I work with great conviction”, were the first words of Battaglia, who immediately referred to his statements after the elimination of the Cup when he stated that “there were no reinforcements”.

That sentence was the sentence for his cycle, hours later the Football Council informed him that he was no longer the first team manager. “At no time did I want to say that Boca needed so many reinforcements, yes in specific positions. But I had never said it publicly, I had talked about it behind closed doors with those who had to talk about it. Yes, it is true that it was after an elimination and perhaps it was not the time “recognized.

Regarding the meeting between the players and the leaders before the match with Corinthians in which the group leaders claimed the prizes, Battaglia expressed his point of view: “Yeswith things that need to be worked out since the beginning of the year. You have to have a calm head to be able to enter the field and be able to play and think only about this. I think it got to a point where you didn’t have to talk about it, it should have been fixed sooner. “

The relationship with the Football Council

“They are former teammates and where you can talk face to face as usual. We have shared many games and things, but everyone has their thoughts and everyone has their opinion. PBut it’s hard for six people to agree“said the coach.

And on his departure he added: “When I left I said I did not ask for explanations. They had already decided that I would not continue in office and it must be accepted. After the form, it is not up to me to say it But later. statements I heard, it was that I was left out of office because of my statements.

“There have been many times where it looked like every game was the end of the world. From victory to defeat, everything changed too quickly. I also believe that the trials must be serene and with the conviction that they can be done. I recently heard from Gallardo, the River manager, that he needed time to shape the team. And if a coach who has been in a club for a long time says so, it is because it takes time “, added Battaglia.

The elimination of the Libertadores

“Every defeat in Boca resonates more than anywhere else. He is the last champion of the tournament, the last champion of the Copa Argentina. But they ask you more and more. The Copa Libertadores is an obsession and it is a mistake, a long time without a win. And it is necessary to respect the processes. It also seems that an elimination from the Cup makes everything else seem pointless, ”Battaglia said.

He then remarked that with the Council “we always talk about football. About how the match was. We always talk and there are always differences. In this case there were differences with me and we tried to resolve them The best possible way “.

“Libertadores has become an obsession and it is a mistake. But it seems that they are getting further and further away. The gap with the Brazilian teams seems to be getting bigger and bigger,” he concluded.

The relationship with Riquelme

“I talked to Román. But everything that had to do with football was discussed with the Council. I think Román is a very strong figure for the club, but today he is fulfilling another function. And we are all learning the skills. They all have to learn in the function they are in. Maybe I would have liked that speech to be done another way. players after a defeat against Gimnasia in the La Candy box.

The conflict with Almond

“What happened with Almendra happened. As group leader at that time it was the decision that needed to be made and it was made and then there was no turning back because it was the decision that had to be made for the group to feel good. And also not only for those involved, but for the other guys who come from inferior and know the values ​​you need to have and the respect to be a First Division player “, Battaglia explained that after a heated discussion he decided to leave. from the campus wheel.

“I wish him the best. He is a great soccer player and it’s up to him to get to where he wants to go. I guess what he likes best is playing football, I think he has to learn a lot and put his head into it.” He summed up.