Javier Abella is aware that Santos Laguna has an opportunity they cannot waste, a semifinal against América with a 4-1 advantage.

The right back said he is ready for the second leg against the Mexico City team, now going to the Azteca Stadium to complete the mission, as if the score was 0-0.

The morning of this Saturday, Santos Laguna closed their preparation with a closed-door training session at the TSM Stadium, where coach Robert Dante Siboldi made the final adjustments on the field.

"We are aware of the results we need to obtain to advance, of having to go out like we're playing at home, to search for the game, to go out with the mentality that nothing is resolved, that we must go out to win," he said.

"Very few times do we have the opportunity to have it of this magnitude, to be able to win and qualify for a final, in that sense we cannot waste it," he emphasized.

There are those who think that the first 20 minutes are crucial, where they expect the Águilas to attack, but Abella believes that in general, it's about being focused for the full 90 minutes, knowing that it is a semifinal and that they are fighting for a spot in the final.

"We expect it to be offensive and we have to know what is coming, that we must be well positioned, forcing them not to generate danger and us attacking and creating chances," he said.

And he agrees with his teammate Julio Furch, in the sense that at Santos they know how it feels and what they need to take care of.

"It's very clear, we experienced it, we were on the other side, we know what it means and we achieved it, we know that a score like this can be turned around and that if we could do it, they can too, that's why we have to stay calm and enjoy it to go for the final," he said.

One important aspect for Santos is managing the desperation that América may feel if they cannot score, that's why Javier insists that everything will depend on what happens during the match.

He mentioned that this series is for both rivals to watch out for each other, "we will be cautious, they will go for the result, to protect themselves from us, we have good attacking players who have made a difference and in that sense, they should worry about us," he said.

Regarding playing at the Azteca Stadium, he said: "It's such a beautiful stadium, with so much history, so much emotion, and playing a semifinal there motivates us and can uplift us mentally. I am excited and motivated to know that we are one game away from reaching the final, I have the hope of becoming a champion," he concluded.