By: EFE Updated 15 May 2022, 9: 15 am EDT
The Argentine Fernando Ortiz, coach of the Mexican soccer club América, stated this Saturday that his team has shown that it is capable of overcoming any adversity.
“I’m not surprised by the quality of my players. What balls they have! It is a team that is prepared to get out of extreme, adverse situations and I am proud of it”, said the coach after his team advanced to the Clausura semifinal 2022.
América defeated Puebla 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium with goals from Henry Martín, Chilean Diego Valdés, from a penalty, and Alejandro Zendejas; Israel Reyes and Venezuelan Fernando Aristeguieta scored a penalty for Puebla.
In the first match of the quarterfinals last Wednesday in Puebla the score between these squads was 1-1. The Eagles prevailed 4-3 in total.
2022
Despite the victory, the strategist stressed that they must improve in the defensive sector.
“As long as win is easier to correct. Today we conceded two goals, but that happens because we are a team that always attacks and we take risks, but we have to correct it; defensively we played a good game, although conceding two goals is not the best”.
America advanced to the semifinal under the command of Ortiz, who replaced his compatriot Santiago Solari on date nine of the regular tournament.
He took the Eagles in the last position of the Clausura, but after obtaining six wins, two draws and one loss, he put them in the final phase in fourth position, despite these numbers, the helmsman gave all the credit to his team.
“I appreciate the support, but the credit belongs to the players. They are the protagonists, I only train them; today the fans identify with the team and thanks to that we are stronger, but my players are to blame”.
Fernando Ortiz He did not want to classify his team as a favorite in the next phase, but he warned that his America still has ground to advance.
“I never put limits on what we can give, I think we still have room to grow. Today I emphasize that we understood how to attack Puebla, how to hurt them, everyone understood how we had to play, but I insist; we don’t have a roof”.
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