By Sergio Silva
May 24, 2024, 17:08 PM EDT
He draw achieved by the Águilas del América against Cruz Azul (1-1) in the first leg of the final of the Clausura 2024 tournament of the Liga MX left the technical director of the azulcrema team, André Jardine, with the feeling that something more could have been achieved taking into account what was seen on the field of play in the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium in the Mexican capital.
For the Brazilian coach, the current Aztec soccer champions had more options for a good part of the 90 minutes against the Cement Machine in a match that ended up being decided before the first 20 minutes with goals from Uriel Antuna (m.9), penalty for Cruz Azul and Julian Quiñones (m.16) for America.
“In the second half it was a balanced game, but you regret that we had the clearest chances, they are chances that we normally do not miss, but it is a sign that the game plan was strong and solid and for me we were closer to victory than to the defeat, but one more advantage than playing at home with our people at the Azteca”Jardine commented.
In the press conference after the match, the South American technical director added that beyond the lack of success they showed during the development of the match against Cruz Azul, it was within what was planned taking into account the rival on duty who was coming off a great semester. being América’s shooting guard in the regular season.
“It was a match that we imagined was going to be very tough, close, balanced in chances and good; What we planned for me almost went well, it is not good in a Final to lose, especially with a situation that you can avoid, but highlight the mental strength and tranquility playing on the opponent’s court.”commented Jardine, who also highlighted his team’s ability to react.
“Go back, try to settle our Liguilla, it is not the first time that we have this way of looking for results; In finals, the team that scores first for me is very close to achieving the objectives, so It was very important to quickly score the tying goal“said the coach about Quiñones’ goal that took less than 10 minutes to arrive after Antuna’s score.
The Águilas del América and Cruz Azul will meet again this Sunday at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the second leg of the final of the Clausura 2024 tournament where the new Liga MX champion will be defined.
The azulcremas are seeking the Bicampeonato after having been crowned in the last Apertura 2023 tournament while the Cement Machine seeks to put the finishing touch to a semester in which, with the help of Argentine coach Martín Anselmi, they managed to turn the team around after a terrible Apertura get into the fight for the title in the Clausura.
Keep reading:
– Miguel Herrera considers that Cruz Azul did not deserve to be in the final
– Martín Anselmi does not leave Cruz Azul’s match against Club América crestfallen
– The best memes of the tie between Cruz Azul and Club América for the Liga MX final