In a stunning turn of events, Club América faced elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup after a fierce battle against Cruz Azul, a team that had not triumphed over them in a knockout phase for 25 years. The defeat has left players and coaches alike grappling with feelings of disappointment and a renewed sense of obligation to secure the Liga MX tetracampeonato.
Álvaro Fidalgo, a key player for América, didn't hold back in expressing his feelings of failure after the unexpected exit. "Un palo muy fuerte para todos porque ninguno pensó que antes de llegar aquí hoy que íbamos a caer. Cuando ganas tanto y a veces te olvidas de lo que es esta sensación, una sensación de mie..., muy jodidos. Poco más que decir, lo sentimos como lo que es esto," he stated, highlighting the shock and pain felt within the squad.
Fidalgo continued to emphasize the importance of their next objective, the Liga MX title, stating, "Era uno de los objetivos que nos habíamos marcado al principio del año, era muy importante para nosotros este torneo y seguimos más allá del tricampeonato, seguimos en deuda en este torneo, seguimos fallando en los momentos clave, así que tendrá que volver a ser prioridad para el club, para todos, este torneo es el siguiente, no queda otro." His words reflect a collective determination to rise from the ashes of this recent setback.
Both Kevin Álvarez and Alan Cervantes echoed Fidalgo's sentiments, reinforcing the need for introspection and a commitment to winning the fourth consecutive title in Liga MX. "Tenemos que ser autocríticos para que no se vuelva a repetir en liga. Es obligación el Tetracampeonato," Álvarez asserted, while Cervantes added, "Es obligación el tetracampeonato." This unified voice among the players underscores the weight of expectations as they look to redeem themselves.
América's head coach, André Jardine, also shared his thoughts on the team's performance during the elimination match. He pinpointed the lack of assertiveness as the main flaw, particularly in the first leg of the quarterfinals. "Felicitar a Cruz Azul por pasar. Partido equilibrado, Cruz Azul tiene un equipo para competir con nosotros, está probado. El mayor pecado que cometemos fue la falta de contundencia desde el primer partido. No salir con ventaja en el primer partido fue un pecado tremendo," Jardine remarked in the post-match press conference.
Jardine's acknowledgment of Cruz Azul's prowess and the disappointment of facing them so early in the tournament was palpable as he noted, "Duele mucho, queríamos trascender, pero tenemos que ir fase a fase. Es un torneo duro, difícil. Para mí cruzamos tempranamente con Cruz Azul, es un partido que pudo ser una semifinal, una final." His recognition of the match's significance adds to the narrative of a rivalry that remains deeply rooted in Mexican football.
As the dust settles on this painful chapter, the focus shifts to the Liga MX campaign. The players are aware that they must channel their frustration into a renewed focus on their upcoming matches. Fidalgo's declaration that their obligation to win the tetracampeonato has heightened serves as a rallying cry for the squad.
On the other side, Cruz Azul's coach Vicente Sánchez expressed his elation at overcoming América, emphasizing the excitement of the victory. "Hoy estoy muy contento, muy agradecido con la institución, jugadores y la afición. La verdad es un momento que queríamos, que ilusionaba y tenemos que disfrutar," he stated, reflecting on the significance of the win for his team.
Sánchez also dismissed any notions of revenge against América, indicating that their focus is on the future. "Lo que pasó atrás no se puede cambiar todos los días tenemos la oportunidad de cambiar todo lo que viene entonces esa es mi forma de pensar," he said, looking ahead to the challenges that lie ahead.
This match, described by Jardine as potentially a semifinal or final clash, underscores the competitive nature of the tournament and the high stakes involved for both teams. For América, the path forward is clear: they must regroup and focus on the Liga MX, where the pressure to deliver is mounting.
As the players and coaching staff of Club América reflect on this disappointing exit from the Concacaf Champions Cup, their resolve to conquer the Liga MX is stronger than ever. The echoes of Fidalgo's words resonate within the club, reminding them of the high expectations that come with wearing the América jersey.
With the Liga MX title in their sights, the team must harness their collective pain and turn it into motivation. The upcoming matches will be crucial, not only for their standing in the league but also for the restoration of pride after this recent setback. The journey continues, and the hunger for success remains unquenched.
As the league season progresses, all eyes will be on América to see if they can transform their anguish into triumph. The fans will be hoping that this painful lesson serves as a catalyst for a successful campaign ahead, as the quest for the tetracampeonato becomes a driving force for the players.
In the world of football, every defeat can be a stepping stone to greatness, and for Club América, the time to rise is now. The next chapter in their story is yet to be written, and the stakes have never been higher.
