MEXICO -- Elias Hernandez knows that football today has taken a backseat. Health and the economy, not only in Mexico but worldwide, are the priority and that's how the Cruz Azul player understands it.
However, it is inevitable to feel bad about the stoppage caused by the coronavirus, especially when La Maquina was leading with 22 points, had the best offense with 24 goals, and had 6 consecutive victories and 8 games without defeat.
"We were going through a good moment and there is a bitter taste that the team was on a good streak, doing things well, and because of these situations, we had to stop. But we have to adapt to the circumstances," expressed Hernandez over the phone.
The Cruz Azul midfielder was enjoying a great moment with 10 games played, all as a starter, 878 minutes, 4 goals scored, and important assists to keep his team at the top of the Clausura 2020... until a pandemic stopped sports practically worldwide.
"It has been very complicated, as you say, the break was sudden, it is very difficult to assimilate. It is the first time since I have been playing and in my life that something like this happens, and the truth is it is difficult, but we have to follow the instructions. We continue working at home as much as possible, we have not stopped or stopped doing something every day so that when all this is resumed, we can be in the best possible shape," he commented.
Hernandez hopes that this situation affects society's economy and health as little as possible.
For the moment, the club's fitness coach, Pablo Sanguinetti, has designed an individual and generalized exercise program for the players to do at home. Hernandez explained that they work on abdominal exercises, jumps, weights, planks, jogging, and aerobic exercises to stay in shape. The first session of the day is mandatory and the second one is optional, but the players record videos and send them to the coaching staff to verify that they are working.
"We are working online with the fitness coach to stay as fit as possible. We know that it is not the same as working on physical aspects every day according to the day of the week and having a match on the weekends. It is difficult, but that's how it has been for us," said Hernandez.
"Looking at the positive side, we had a couple of injured players (Yoshimar Yotun and Pablo Aguilar) and this serves for them to recover and come back in the best possible way when football returns."