By Miguel Rapetti
Jun 29, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT
The strategist of the Mexican national team, Jaime Lozano, spoke this Saturday about the momentous match that El Tri will have against their counterpart from Ecuador, where there will be no tomorrow because in the event of a victory the Americans will be left out of the Copa América 2024.
In a press conference prior to the game that will be played this Sunday at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Lozano had time to praise the Ecuadorian team although he recalled that the idea is for Mexico to go out to win or die, especially if they are going to be local .
“Why do we feel more pressure from Mexico if we are the home team? We are playing at home and in front of our fans here in Arizona. What a pressure! For me, there is no better place to be than here at this moment,” Lozano said at the beginning of the interview.
Asked whether Mexico is paying the price for the roster renewal, he said he doesn’t see it that way. “I’m calm because of what the team has shown on the field. We’ve played two good games and have been on the rise. I was hired for a process and to shore up this group for the World Cup.”
Regarding his continuity and the support of his players, he added: “These are decisions that do not correspond to me. You know that you depend on the results. From what I see on the pitch and in training, I feel supported by them, now we have to do our best to qualify for the quarterfinals.”
Lozano also opened up and stressed that he never imagined that he would be fighting Ecuador for a place in this final match: “I know that both they and we thought that we were going to play for first place on this date and not for a place in the quarterfinals. It’s win or die. It will be a great match because both teams have a lot at stake.”
“Historically, Mexico has done well (against Ecuador) but that does not determine anything. I hope we do things well, that we deserve it more than the rival and that we believe from beginning to end that we can achieve it,” he added.
And he praised the Tri. “It is a young, strong team, with a lot of imbalance, they have Páez who is young but also has significant maturity, Caicedo has great leadership. It is a complete team that knows what it is playing for.”
“Ecuador is quite strong in its midfield. We have to win, that is what counts for us, and we are going to get it. Ecuador is not easy, but when we have chances to score, we have to take advantage and know how to suffer.”
Lozano was at the press conference alongside Genoa center back Johan Vásquez, who confirmed that the Tri players are following their motto in this Copa América: “Together and united.”
“The team is very united. We have to know how to play under this kind of pressure. Both Ecuador and we are going to risk our lives, for us it is kill or be killed.”
Finally, the defender asked for extra help from the Mexican fans in the stands. “I would like to ask people to support us. Players come and go in the national team, but this badge and the country will always be there. We will leave everything on the field.”
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