Renato Paiva is not intimidated by the prospect of facing PSG in the Club World Cup. “The graveyard of football is full of favorites,” he said. According to Paiva, being the underdog can be a good thing. “If we say we’re the favorites, we might go into the game too comfortable. If we say we’re the underdogs, they might go in with fear,” he explained.
Paiva wants his team, Botafogo, to stay focused on their game plan. “We prepare for every game the same way. We look at our opponent’s weaknesses and try to capitalize on them,” he said. After their first game, a win over Seattle Sounders, Paiva was pleased to see his team unhappy with their performance. “When I walked into the locker room, it was like a funeral. I was happy because I saw they weren’t happy with how they played,” he said.
The team’s reaction showed they have character and can bounce back from adversity. Paiva also took responsibility for his team’s struggles. “I didn’t help my team during the game because my pre-game plan wasn’t perfect. That’s the life of a coach,” he said. He recalled a previous game where he made a substitution that was initially criticized, but it paid off. “They need to know there’s a man who can admit when he’s made a mistake and move forward,” Paiva said.
Paiva’s Mindset
Paiva’s approach is centered around his team’s performance, not the opponent’s reputation. He believes in being prepared and adapting to the game. “We look at our opponent’s weaknesses and try to capitalize on them,” he said. This mindset will be crucial as Botafogo faces PSG in the upcoming match.
Key points about Paiva’s strategy include:
- Focusing on Botafogo’s game plan
- Analyzing PSG’s weaknesses
- Being prepared to adapt
- Taking responsibility for mistakes