Frutos makes case for defence
ANDERLECHT interim boss Nicolas Frutos has hit out at critics of his defensive approach against Celtic in last night’s Champions League clash at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
The Belgian champions started with five defenders in the 3-0 defeat, and handed over the vast majority of possession to Brendan Rodgers’ side before being picked apart by the visitors.
But Frutos blamed the first-half injury to centreback Uros Spajic in a challenge with Scott Sinclair for Celtic’s opening goal, and for undermining his tactical approach.
Despite also pointing to the lack of time he had to work on his tactical plan with his players, Frutos came in for intense criticism from the Belgian media following the timid surrender to the Scottish side.
And he admitted that the result was a massive blow to their hopes of pipping Celtic to third place in the group.
“It’s not a good thing to take such a defeat especially at home, it was a crucial match,” Frutos said.
“We were well positioned at the start of the match, and we knew that Celtic had a lot of ball possession. Spajic’s injury affected us on an organisational level to go behind. On the first goal he could not follow his man.
“Afterwards, we offer them a gift and on our side, we have not been able to take our chances.”
The Argentine coach’s chances of landing the Anderlecht job on a permanent basis were severely dented by the result, with a decision due to be made today surrounding his future.
But he believes the constant speculation over the managerial position had a destabilising effect on his players ahead of such a crucial match.
“I understand that it can de-stabilise my players,” he said. “I’ve been in their place, when it’s not clear, but we have to get on with it.”