Atlético Mineiro boss Cuca has defended his decision to substitute Ronaldinho during his side’s 2-0 defeat to Olimpia in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday.
The Paraguayan outfit took the lead in the 23rd-minute through a stunning Alejandro Silva strike, which had goalkeeper Victor well beaten and came off the inside of the post.
With his side still trailing in the second half, Cuca replaced the misfiring Ronaldinho with Guilherme just after the hour mark, but the move did not have the desired effect.
Atlético defender Richarlyson was sent off in the 90th minute for his second bookable offence, before Olimpia doubled their lead as a free-kick from Pittoni nestled in Victor"s net in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
After the game Cuca told reporters: “He [Ronaldinho] wasn"t playing well. I treat him the same as any other player.
“These are the same players who were not good today, that will take the field next Wednesday and can be champions."
The 50-year-old coach also accepted responsibility for the defeat due to his tactics and team selection.
He added: “We will not surrender now. Today we had many players missing, so we had good results, now it"s my fault, not theirs."
The Brazilian outfit have it all to do in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday if they are to claim their first Libertadores title, and become Brazil"s fourth consecutive winner after victories by Internacional, Santos and Corinthians in the last three years.
