I play with initiative and rescue the identity of Athletico. These are two points that coach Maurício Barbieri thinks for Hurricane next season. For him, these factors were not very present in the last season, when the team was demoted to the second division in the last round of Brasileirão.
Barbieri, who had passages through Bragantino, Vasco and Flamengo, among other clubs, stated that it weapons its teams purposefully – that is, to take the initiative of the match. "I always look for my teams to be protagonists of the game, to have initiative and seek the opposing goal, to be purposeful," he said, in an interview with the Hurricane Network. "And also that they are very cohesive. The game has many phases, it has to go well in all".
He also stated that the important thing is to rescue an Athletic gaming culture. "Of intensity and verticality, which have always been a very important brand of this club," he said. "I understand that in recent years you haven't been very present (the crop) and I think it will be crucial to have a winning year make this rescue of the Athletic game," he continued. "We have to do this work of rescuing the Athletic culture, of rescuing values that I believe have not been lost, but perhaps were more asleep. And put this at work. Make players understand that and redeem those values."
Coach admits the crowd is upset about the downturn and that the collection in 2025 must be strong. But you say it doesn't scare you. "With the shows, the performances, we will bring the fan back to support, because it will be fundamental this challenging year," said Barbieri, regarding the support coming from the stands. "Within the field, the team needs to demonstrate and regain this fondness of the fan."
Barbieri also says that the fact that the team is in Series B will be challenging. "We have the challenge of facing a difficult season and a complicated scenario. A scenario for all reasons and reasons the Athletico should not be, but the fact is that it is," he said. "Despite the challenge, we have the opportunity to begin this reconstruction, to return stronger, more prepared and more skilled. Where Athletico shouldn't have left."
The first challenge of the Athletic will be the Paranaense Championship. On January 11, the team opens before the Paraná Club. Thus, the resubmission is scheduled for December 25, one day after Christmas. "Actually, 2025 has already begun for me. I'm already working and with my head on it," said Barbieri.
