Fell when people trusted the most

Atlas was left behind after winning in the first leg of the Quarterfinals against Chivas, few believed that the team led by José Guadalupe Cruz could even make it among the top eight once the tournament ended.

For this reason, for the 'Coach' there is nothing to blame on a team that in his opinion killed themselves on the field in the second leg game and that was eliminated for the third time by the hated rival in the Liguilla in the history of short tournaments.

"It is a hard blow but I have nothing to blame my players, only gratitude to them and pride in leading them. They fought until the end in the Quarterfinals and throughout the championship, this time it was not possible for us but we will work to return and be better," said the coach.

The decision to send Matías Alustiza to the bench was criticized when he had been the top scorer in the regular season with eight goals and the one who scored the goal that had them ahead in the tie on Thursday at the Jalisco Stadium.

If the decision was made, it was because the forward was physically diminished, commented the coach and although he risked him in the second half, the damage from the rival was already done.

"If I didn't start with Alustiza, it's not to keep the 1-0 but because he was overloaded in the right thigh, we had the actions under control without much trouble until the goal from a corner kick. In the second half, I decided to risk Matías' physical integrity because the situation deserved it. We tried in every way, but Matías' injury changed my tactical scheme from the beginning."

He does not believe that the approach was defensive, but rather that the circumstances of the game and the way the opponent pressed changed the situation.

"To say that we made mistakes and failed is the same as not recognizing that the opponent has hierarchy, quality, and did well when we decided to put three central defenders, we left three up front for the counterattack and take advantage of the spaces, it was not possible, perhaps the scenario can impose on you, we are a very young team, the oldest ones were Macue and maybe Leiton, the rest are all young and obviously this scenario can somehow impose on you."

For those who ask for his departure, he has no response, he focuses only on the fans who understand that this is a long-term project and the results will come sooner or later.

"I focus on the fans who believe, support and are with me. Afterwards, I respect the directions that criticisms take, they do not direct my life plan or professional goals, my objectives and goals are what condition me to pursue them," he concluded.

GPE