Feb 17 • 17:28 UTC 🇪🇨 Ecuador El Universo (ES)

'It was just a matter of pressing a button,' laments César Farías, coach of Barcelona SC, over the absence of Matías Lugo for the Copa Libertadores

César Farías, the coach of Barcelona SC, expressed regret over the inability to include Matías Lugo in the squad for an important Copa Libertadores match against Argentinos Juniors due to timing issues with registration.

César Farías, the head coach of Barcelona Sporting Club, lamented the absence of Argentine player Matías Lugo for their upcoming match against Argentinos Juniors in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores' second phase. In a press conference, Farías explained that registering Lugo was a simple process of 'pressing a button,' but unfortunately, the deadline set by CONMEBOL had already passed by the time they sought to finalize his inclusion. He emphasized the frustration of the situation, particularly given its simplicity from Argentina, but lamented that it was too late to comply with regulatory deadlines.

Farías's expressions of disappointment reflect the broader challenges faced by teams in international competitions, especially related to player registration and compliance with strict timelines. He was empathetic towards Lugo as a player, acknowledging the personal impact of such situations and highlighting the rules that govern player availability. The coach articulated a sense of conflict between adhering to regulations and considering the rights and well-being of players, indicating a need for more flexibility in certain circumstances.

The match against Argentinos Juniors is scheduled to take place at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, starting at 19:30. The absence of Lugo adds to the challenges for Barcelona SC as they prepare for a key encounter in the prestigious Copa Libertadores, raising questions about how teams can better navigate registration logistics to ensure their players are available for significant matches.

📡 Similar Coverage