America advances straight to the playoffs

America is moving straight towards the playoffs, there is no red light that can stop them. In fact, with 26 points, it is almost impossible for them to be left out of the final phase. The team's morale is high, the victories against Cruz Azul and Chivas have strengthened the team, it is a group that recognizes its weaknesses, but also values its capabilities.

America closes in on the top spot

Now, America is one point away from the leadership held by Monterrey, a victory tonight would send them to bed as the leader of the competition, waiting to see what Rayados does tomorrow at the Estadio Olimpico against Pumas.

America on the verge of first place

America would be in first place for the first time and next week they could confirm it in the direct duel against Rayados, where the best of the regular season may be defined.

The Piojo's influence

The Piojo’s(Boss) hand is reflected in all its splendor. It is the second most productive season that Miguel Herrera has had with America, considering his first stage as well. The 26 points he has accumulated are only surpassed by the 31 he had in the Apertura 2013, when he finished as the leader, and it is much higher than the other three tournaments he has had with the Azulcrema club.

Not feeling pressured

However, in Coapa they don't pressure themselves too much; they know they have the leadership within reach, but it's not an obsession.

"Yes, it is a goal, it doesn't drive us crazy, if we have it there, we will fight for it, because it will always be an advantage to close at home, but it doesn't keep us up at night, we lose sleep over qualifying, we lose sleep over being champions, and we will fight to be champions, but being the best team in the league with the most points doesn't reflect it, and it's not worth that much in Mexico, sometimes it's repeated that the super leader leaves, because in the playoffs the away goal is what makes the difference, and achieving first place is just about doing things right," said the Piojo.

Managing the workload

The game tonight could result in direct qualification, although America has a good score, today they could mathematically secure qualification with 29 points in their pocket. Furthermore, the team's spirits would continue to be high to face the Round of 16 match in the Copa next week against Cruz Azul.

Thinking about that game, the Piojo has made the decision to give rest to two of his best men in attack: Oribe Peralta and Darwin Quintero will not be starting, they will have to begin the match on the bench, waiting to see how they progress, if they are not needed, they would not have any activity so that they arrive in full condition for the clash against La Maquina.

The roster

The starting eleven that the Piojo will send out has guarantees: Agustin Marchesin, Paul Aguilar, Bruno Valdez, Edson Alvarez, and Miguel Samudio in the backline. Guido Rodriguez and Mateus Uribe in midfield. Renato Ibarra and Cecilio Dominguez on the wings and up front Silvio Romero and Alejandro Diaz.

The players who will rest due to the 9/9 rule are Pablo Aguilar and William da Silva, the Brazilian midfielder has made positive progress in his left leg injury, but he has been treated with caution to avoid the risk of a relapse, the Piojo wants to have him at 100% and is waiting for him patiently.

Not getting carried away

Miguel Herrera himself assured that the team has taken a step forward and has not stagnated in the ecstasy left by the victories in the last two classics, because if they dwell on that, they run the risk of falling into excessive confidence and that has been sought to eradicate, he points out that the ultimate goal is to be a competitive team in the playoffs and a contender for the title.

"We have stopped thinking about the classics, the euphoria of the Clasico was that day, since Wednesday night, we have been working on the game against Necaxa, there wasn't much time, and the boys should be focused on the fact that we haven't achieved anything, not even qualification mathematically; so as long as we are not secured, we will work to earn points and when we are secured, we will accumulate as many as possible," said the coach.

Rotation strategy

Miguel Herrera explained the situation with rotations, stating that "when they have to be made, they must be made, it is obvious that if you have weeks of tough games, you must make moves so that the players can recover, the tournament has been demanding and the boys have understood that when they don't appear, it is to not overload them.

He mentioned that "Oribe's situation is that feeling of fatigue, of being in these busy games. And we'll bring Darwin along with the possibility of having him there, but let others do the primary work."

Miguel also commented that an honest and truthful evaluation has been made within the group, they know that the game against Chivas showed some vulnerabilities and they won due to their accuracy in two specific actions.

"We're doing well, the volume of play needs to improve, we shouldn't have these sudden shifts where in some games where we don't play, but we have enough quality up front to make up for it, but we shouldn't have these sudden shifts, the team is convinced of that; we have spoken with the group to regain what we had been doing, we are aware that we hadn't played our best game for 60 minutes, that we were too cautious, but it's over now, we are more focused than ever and with the idea that the team regains possession of the ball, that it is all the time and not just sporadically."