COLUMN 'EL PULSO'

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MEXICO CITY -- "El Niño did a great job," said Miguel Herrera to summarize Diego Lainez's performance against Monterrey.

The Club América's youth player was a starter for the first time in the tournament last Saturday, and offered 45 minutes full of highlights, with 'Messi-like' plays in which he eluded opponents as if they were cones, easily dribbling along the left side of the field.

In the second half, he faded away, changed his position due to the team's needs to open the scoring and no longer had an impact. Despite this, he was the best on the field in a match that ended 0-0.

The boy is thoughtful on and off the field, calm, disruptive, patient, and with an extraordinary talent. Beyond his training or the shirt he wears, watching Diego Lainez fills us with excitement and hope.

However, since the 'Piojo' returned to Club America, the rookie's opportunities have been scarce. Herrera considered that "his process was accelerated," after Ricardo La Volpe debuted him at 16 years old, and decided to "take it slow," to the point that in this tournament, prior to the match against Rayados, he had only played 26 minutes.

What does it matter if Lainez is only 17 years old? What does it matter if he looks like a child? What is the problem with his debut being brought forward due to the needs that those 'Águilas' of La Volpe had at the time?

If talent is his best introduction letter and continuity will undoubtedly make him grow and mature.

The 'Piojo' turned to the youngster due to the absences of América players: Cecilio Domínguez, Jéremy Menez, and Henry Martín were not available, and Diego once again showed that, beyond his age, the responsibility of occupying a place in the starting eleven doesn't weigh him down.

Last week, after being eliminated from the Concachampions by Toronto, the forward surprised with his maturity by getting several of his teammates off the ground - including Oribe Peralta - who regretted the defeat.

Without a doubt, Lainez is a rough diamond not only for América, but for Mexican soccer as well, and it seems that it is time for those backward customs of using age as an excuse to not give opportunities to young players to come to an end.

Or did Herrera not get tired of using Darwin Quintero as a starter at one point, despite the poor level shown by the Colombian? Is the standard different for a 17-year-old Mexican kid? Does youth prevent being a starter at América?

The 'Kid', as Lainez is called by Piojo, is ready to play more frequently and not just when the squad has multiple injured players. Of course, he should not be burdened with the mission of 'carrying' the team, as he is in a formative period.

He has great virtues and skills, although he is a player who still needs to learn how to play soccer... When to dribble, when to take on opponents, when to make the first touch pass, when to make a play and when to shoot on goal. That kind of learning only comes with games; in other words, improving his choice of plays.

For now, Miguel Herrera has the possibility of the 'Kid' continuing to grow and take firm steps towards a dream-like consolidation.

HONOR ROLL

Necaxa Identity

Last week they won the Copa MX and on Saturday they took an important step to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Liguilla alive. Ignacio Ambriz and Necaxa are one and the same, the coach understands like few others the identity the team must have and its DNA. They have a style that is distant from being flashy or spectacular, but very close to being effective, as against Lobos BUAP they were even able to recover from an expulsion to get the victory. The Rays show their hard work and the features of an uncomfortable team without great figures, but they know what they play and where they aim. They are in a good moment and if they maintain the trend, it won't be strange for them to make it to the final eight.

FAIL

Chivas Bet

Last week, Matías Almeyda was accused of "throwing the league" after playing with an alternate squad full of youngsters against Veracruz. Well, the Argentine repeated the formula last Friday against Tijuana, and once again the bet didn't pay off. It is a fact that Guadalajara has some talented youngsters - for example, Edson Torres - but not enough to compete without support in the First Division, which is why the 3-0 loss against Xolos was just a faithful reflection of the difference between a team that is ready and one of rookies. Chivas is betting everything on the Concachampions Final against Toronto, to the point that not qualifying for the Liguilla for a second tournament is a secondary matter.