In MEXICO -- Almost three weeks after arriving in Mexico, Jérémy Ménez will finally be on the bench in the match that will pit America against Atlas at Estadio Azteca.
His adaptation has been positive, according to Miguel Herrera, who hopes to give the Frenchman about 30 minutes of play, with the intention of getting him into the rhythm of the game as the weeks go by.
"Both Jérémy and Ibargüen are already adapted and ready. Both will be on the bench and as they gain more physical strength, they will be closer to starting the games," said the coach in a press conference.
The coach of the Eagles highlighted the way in which both players have trained over the past few days to be ready to play now.
"Both of them have trained very well and we are pleased that they are ready, as they have shown in the training sessions," he said.
The transfer period is still open and despite the possibility of another player joining, Herrera is pleased with the work of the board in reinforcing the squad. His mission, he assumes, is to be champion.
"Whoever arrives at América is here to be champion, I am very grateful to the board for having a more competitive team and I am very happy and committed to seeking the thirteenth crown," he said.
HE STRUGGLED TO ADAPT TO THE ALTITUDE
"It's true that at first there was a problem with the altitude, the first three weeks were difficult to adapt, but little by little I am improving," said Jérémy Ménez, who is in the spotlight at América and feels no pressure to succeed at his new club. The Frenchman takes responsibility and his goal is to win. He understands that he came to reinforce the team and seek the championship, and all he wants is to repay the board's trust and meet the fans' expectations.
"I don't feel any pressure, on the contrary, since I arrived here I came to win," were Ménez's first words at the press conference introducing América's reinforcements.
"Winning is always a pleasure, the important thing is to win, we are used to this type of pressure and what I want is to contribute to winning the title," he added.
The Frenchman needed a translator to understand and respond to the questions in the same way. He was the most questioned at the press conference and expressed his pleasure at being in Mexico for a new adventure in his career.
"I am happy to be here and now that the opportunity arises, I am ready to take it," he said, referring to the first minutes he would see on the field this Saturday when the Eagles host Atlas.
The fans waited for him at the airport as soon as he arrived in Mexico almost three weeks ago, while a large number of them showed up for the open training session at Estadio Azteca. Shirts with his name and number are constantly being sold, while fans chant his name in anticipation of seeing him in action.
"It is clear that it was something very big (the reception from the fans), I hope it continues like this until the end of the tournament and I am here to help and win," he said.