The Argentine Américo Tolo Gallego, the coach of Panama, warned that the Mexican team should not underestimate the team he leads because they have grown and will try to prove it this Tuesday at the Azteca Stadium when they face each other in a match for the Concacaf Nations League.
"I see the levels more equal and this opponent should not be underestimated. Panama is a great team and that's how it should be faced. I know 'Tata' from when we played at Newell's Old Boys, and he has a good team," said Gallego in a press conference referring to the coach of Mexico, his fellow countryman Gerardo Martino, and the Tri.
"Martino's team is no different from what he was as a player, they have good ball possession and a significant pressure, it is a modern team, but beware that we have our strengths," he argued.
Gallego did not want to comment on the way Concacaf decided the format for the qualification to the final hexagonal of the World Cup qualifiers for Qatar 2022, through the Nations League.
"Sorry for not answering the question, but I don't want to deviate from the matter of this match, knowing what I did right or wrong. Right now I just want to think about the duel against Mexico," 'Tolo' assured.
Panama
Panama has a win and a loss in the Nations League, as they won their debut away against Bermuda 1-4, but then lost at home against the same opponent 0-2, which forces them to beat Mexico since they are currently seventh in the new ranking of the Nations League.
"We don't want what happened against Bermuda to happen again; the boys look calm and know the importance of tomorrow's match, where of course we aim to get the three points," Gallego commented.
The Argentine coach trusts the work done during these 10 days to achieve the victory.
"I can guarantee that we will play a good match, we have players who can dribble, cause damage, I have seen the technique that the Panamanian player has and that makes me happy to trust in obtaining a good result," he explained.
Tolo Gallego stated that he still has doubts about the starting lineup he will use against Mexico, but he assured that no matter who takes the field, Panama will go out to propose the game. EFE