The Argentine coach in charge of the Venezuelan national team, Fernando Batista, announced on Tuesday that they will try to “suffocate” Mexico’s play in the second match of the Copa América in the United States because if they are allowed to play freely, they will have a “bad time.”
“We are going to face a good team, with good players, who have played together since youth and that is a plus in their favor,” Batista said at the press conference prior to the match, which will be played at SoFi Stadium, on the outskirts of of the Angels.
The coach hinted that he will put into play the same eleven that defeated Ecuador 1-2, on the first day of Group B, which they lead with Mexico, which beat Jamaica 1-0.
“Today we have training and tomorrow we have an activation session, but the truth is that I am very happy with what the boys did the other day. They are all available,” he confessed.
Regarding Mexico, in addition to highlighting its extremes, he praised Santi Giménez, a 23-year-old Feyenoord forward, whom he wanted to ‘sign’ for the Argentine national team, since he was born in Buenos Aires, during his time as a coach in the Albiceleste youth teams. .
“He is an area forward, with good movements, if you give him meters, you can have a hard time. We will try to adjust him and be close to him so that he does not develop his good game,” he revealed.
He also warned about the Mexican midfielders, “technically good players,” who they will try to “suffocate” with a double mark so that “they do not play calmly.”
Likewise, he recommended that the Vinotinto players face the next two days “with their feet on the ground”, maintaining “the same humility” of the debut against Ecuador.
Batista did not want to enter into comparisons about whether Mexico would be above Venezuela, if both teams shared the same qualifying phase for a World Cup.
“I don’t know where (Mexico) would be, but hopefully under us,” he joked.
Rafael Romo expects a close match with Mexico
The goalkeeper of the Venezuelan team, Rafael Romo, highlighted that “it is a team with quick transitions, which finishes plays and finishes from medium distance.”
“They attack well and we have to counter and be attentive to the speed of forwards like Julián Quiñones,” he added.
On the other hand, he expressed his happiness for the victorious debut against Ecuador (1-2), in which they managed to overcome “the nervousness” typical of a debut in this type of competition.
“Two difficult games are coming up (against Mexico and Jamaica), but the objective is to transcend the group,” he expressed.
Likewise, he stressed correcting some mistakes from the first game and, in that sense, advocated being “more concentrated” and “having more communication” on the field.
Venezuela and Mexico lead Group B of the Copa América in the United States with three points, after beating Ecuador and Jamaica, respectively, on the first date. Whoever takes the three points this Wednesday will virtually qualify for the quarterfinals.
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