Nacional beats Progreso 1-0 in Copa AUF, already looking ahead to Defensor Sporting

Nacional picked up another win, this time 1-0 over Progreso in the Copa AUF Uruguay, thanks to a goal in the 32nd minute. It wasn't a rout or a match to remember, but for Daniel Carreño the result was more than enough: wins, he said, always help build confidence.

The Tricolor coach broke down how the match unfolded and made clear his side controlled things for almost the entire game. Progreso, he explained, showed up with a mixed lineup and problems of their own, something Nacional took advantage of without ever facing much danger at the back.

"We controlled the match the whole way through, we didn't face much trouble at our own goal, we played against a Progreso team that fielded a mixed squad and is dealing with its own issues too. There were some very good individual moments and, at times, the collective side of things worked really well. We'll take this result as a positive for us," Carreño said.Daniel Carreño

The match had its tense moment near the end. With the narrow lead in hand, Progreso pushed forward in the closing minutes looking for the equalizer, causing some discomfort for a Nacional side that up to that point had controlled the game with barely any trouble. That difficulty closing out matches isn't new: it had already shown up in the two draws the team posted in the Torneo Clausura, and Carreño was asked about it directly.

His answer was honest, without reaching for a single excuse. "It's not just one thing: maybe it's nerves, or maybe we don't have as much of a scoring touch as we'd like," the coach explained, preferring not to offer firm conclusions just yet.

"There's a lot that it's too early to evaluate. I've only been through a few matches and my opinion right now might end up being unfair to the squad or to those who were here before me. We'll draw our conclusions at the end of the year and I'll give my full read on what happened. There is that sense that we struggle to close out matches," he said.Daniel Carreño

Eyes on Defensor Sporting

With the Copa AUF result already banked, Nacional's focus is starting to shift toward the upcoming match against Defensor Sporting. That's where a concrete problem comes in: Emiliano Ancheta's suspension leaves the right back spot open, and Carreño is already weighing his options.

The coach was direct about one name who's been delivering in a different position: Gastón Martirena. "We've got quite a few wingers on this team, but the best winger right now is Martirena. At right back, either 'Ojito' Rodríguez or Luciano Rodríguez can play there. We'll see how the team recovers and on Thursday we'll start working on tactics for what's going to be a tough match," the coach said.

On the subject of Luciano Rodríguez, the 19-year-old up-and-comer, Carreño didn't hold back the praise. He sees him as physically strong, focused and serious, and stressed that as long as the young players keep "asking for playing time," they're going to get minutes.

Coates still working his way back

On the injury front, the name causing the most concern is Sebastián Coates, who remains in recovery and is already ruled out for the upcoming match against Defensor Sporting. "We need to give it a little more time," Carreño said, in no rush to push the defender's timeline.

Maxi Gómez's situation is different, and will be decided day by day. The coach explained that it won't be clear until late in the week whether the forward is fit enough to start, whether he'll be available off the bench, or whether he needs another week before being back in the mix.