Diego Costa fires shots at Botafogo squad

Boos took over Engenhão, this Sunday (3), after the goalless draw by Botafogo as cruise for the 37th round of the Brazilian Championship. Without winning for ten rounds, the Rio team fell to fifth place, with 64 points, an unacceptable drop for their fans who were hoping for the title after the leadership was in their hands for 33 of the 38 rounds of the competition. Experienced striker Diego Costa was honest on the edge of the pitch and said what happened to the group.

“The players lacked humility. There’s no point in blaming the managers and coaches, because the players need to be men and face the situation. After that great first round, we lost positions. I think it’s a great learning experience for everyone. Everyone needs to do something his self-criticism”, said the striker, who would have been the reason for the squad’s eventual disunity after his arrival to replace Tiquinho Soares during his serious ankle injury.

At 35 years old and with extensive international experience, the center forward was right for the fans to boo, after ten games without a win. A three-month fast at Engenhão, where the club won the most in the first round. “The moment has no justification. The fans have complete reason to complain after what we did in the first round to make us fall in the last games. The hype is good for the fans, but the players cannot deceive themselves with the victories. We lacked one a little humility, leaving your ego aside. May all this serve as a learning experience for everyone.”

In the last round, Botafogo will face Internacional, in Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre (RS), still being able to finish within the G-4 and go straight to the group stage of the Libertadores. In fifth place, they have 64 points, one less than Grêmio and two behind Flamengo and Atlético-MG, both with 66. The casualties in the farewell will be defender Adryelson and striker Diego Costa, who received their third yellow card and will be subject to automatic suspension.

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In addition to the disappointment of losing a title that seemed certain, the Botafogo fans will still have to get used to the departure of several players. Since August, there have been negotiations for two players to go to Lyon, France: goalkeeper Lucas Perri and defender Adryelson. The French club is also managed by Eagle Football, the holding company of North American investor John Textor, owner of SAF – Sociedada Anônima do Futebol – of the Rio club.

Two other players are expected to leave due to lack of interest in contract renewal. One of them is Argentine full-back Di Plácido and the other is midfielder Lucas Fernandes, on loan from Portimonense, from Portugal, but to remain in the squad Botafogo would have to pay 4 million euros, a value close to 21.4 million to keep him. definitively.

See the goals and best moments of Botafogo x Cruzeiro