Eduardo Domínguez Turns Up the Pressure on Boca Juniors: "They Haven't Won an International Final in 18 Years"
Eduardo Domínguez is not ignoring Atlético Mineiro's poor run of form ahead of the Copa Sudamericana final. But when asked about the Brazilian club's recent defeats in major finals, the Argentine coach pointed to Boca Juniors' own history
With the Copa Sudamericana final against Boca Juniors approaching, Atlético Mineiro head coach Eduardo Domínguez was asked about the pressure surrounding his team.
The Brazilian club lost the 2024 Copa Libertadores final and the 2025 Copa Sudamericana final, leaving another opportunity to win continental silverware hanging over the upcoming showdown in Barranquilla.
Domínguez, however, was quick to point out that Boca Juniors have their own burden to carry.
"I have to look at my players, look at the group and see how we're doing. If you think we're under pressure because of the finals we reached and didn't win in recent years, Boca haven't won an international final in 18 years. Eighteen years... Who's under more pressure?" he replied.
The Argentine coach then brought up Boca's recent domestic trophy drought.
"They had gone three years without winning anything domestically. Who's under more pressure? Pressure comes down to how much you believe in what you're doing, and we believe in ourselves a lot," he added.
Rather than accepting that Atlético Mineiro carry the greater burden, Domínguez used the comparison to emphasize his confidence in his squad.
Atlético Mineiro Enter the Final on a Seven-Game Winless Run
Despite his confident response, Domínguez has plenty to address before Saturday's final.
Atlético Mineiro have gone seven consecutive matches without a victory, with their most recent win coming on October 17, when they defeated Coritiba 1-0.
They subsequently lost to Montevideo City Torque, although the result was not enough to prevent them from advancing to the Copa Sudamericana final.
Their struggles have continued in domestic competitions.
Mineiro suffered league defeats against Flamengo, Cruzeiro and Botafogo, while a defeat and a draw against Grêmio ended their Copa do Brasil campaign.
That sequence has raised questions about the team's form heading into another major continental final.
Mineiro's Domestic Struggles Add to the Challenge
Atlético Mineiro's recent results have also affected their position in the Brazilian league.
With 51 points, they sit seventh in the standings, occupying a Copa Sudamericana qualification spot and trailing the Copa Libertadores places by three points.
The numbers underline the difficult spell the team has experienced, but Domínguez remains focused on his players' belief rather than the weight of past disappointments.
Three Numbers Behind Domínguez's Pressure Debate
- 18 years: the international title drought Domínguez highlighted when discussing Boca Juniors.
- 7 matches: Atlético Mineiro's current winless streak heading into the final.
- 2 lost finals: Mineiro's recent defeats in the 2024 Copa Libertadores and 2025 Copa Sudamericana title matches.
