Asked whether coaches should always field their best team in the most important games, Friedel – speaking as part of a partnership between HFM and Arsenal – declared to GOAL : “I think that when we get to the final, we field our best players, but it’s difficult, because often, when we recruit players, especially internationals, and especially very high-level players, we tell them – I don’t know if that was the case here –: “Well, the League Cup is yours from start to finish”, which is a good thing.
“And if you said it, you need to play them to the end, because if you don’t, you’re going to have real integrity issues within your team. If you never said that or promised that, then you can give it your best.
“I don’t know what was said, so I really can’t criticize that situation, because it could very well be that he said: ‘This is your competition from the start of the season.’ He may have even said this to other players on the team. And if he’s been saying that all season long and sticking to it, then I think that’s really good management.
“I know they didn’t win the trophy, I know a mistake was made during the match, but I say we can’t go back to that moment. But if you haven’t said it, then I think you’re giving it your best shot. And Raya was exceptional. They have only conceded 22 goals all season.
“But I also understand both points of view, because you have to – winning the Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint – and you have to be able to manage all your players. If everyone doesn’t like you, which is impossible, at least everyone respects you. And there you can get things done. »
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