30 Years Since Mexico's First Participation in the Copa America, Raúl Gutiérrez Talks About the Sensations Left by the Tournament on the National Team
Raúl Gutiérrez revealed that the 1993 Copa America, the first for Mexico in history, had a great significance for the Mexican team as it broke stigmas and fostered a new mentality in the national team.
After acknowledging that the Mexican National Team faced a very difficult group stage due to lack of experience and having to adapt to the competitive level of their opponents, 'Potro' Gutiérrez stated that during the tournament they were able to 'free themselves' from some aspects that were criticized about the team.
"Against Colombia we lost with a ghost goal, we drew with Argentina, also with Bolivia; so, the group stage served us to adapt and then, the team relaxed for the better, which was against Peru, whom we beat 4-2."
He said that precisely in this match, "we were a little more liberated; we had managed to advance from the group stage, after all that had been said: that we were always the 'ratones verdes' (green mice), that we didn't compete. So, against Peru, it's like we freed ourselves from all that."
He emphasized that the younger players in that squad, among whom were himself and players like Ramírez Perales, Claudio Suárez, and Ramón Ramírez, among several others, "had a personality that contributed to the team. That influenced us to demand more from ourselves and to play for the team."
Raúl Gutiérrez applauded that team as "a very good mix of experience and youth" which allowed the team to show personality and quality.
The Final Against Argentina
It is worth remembering that Mexico faced Argentina twice, both in the group stage, where they drew 1-1, and in the final of the 1993 Copa America.
About this opponent, Raúl Gutiérrez explained: "In the second goal that Argentina scored against us, we were very poorly positioned, with my two center-backs on the wing. Simeone 'saw it,' takes a throw-in quickly and I arrive very fast, Batistuta dribbles past me and we couldn't clear the ball. We paid the price of inexperience."
However, he said he remembers "with great fondness" that participation of Mexico in the continental tournament, especially because they had a great performance, despite a problem that surrounded the Mexican players prior to the trip to Ecuador.
"Before we left, there was a possibility that we would be punished and not be allowed to play. It seems to me that it was because of the Draft issue, we wanted it to be modified, because we seemed like 'goods to the highest bidder,' and to have insurance. Hugo Sánchez said that we wanted to 'put our heads on the line'."
Regarding the current situation of the Mexican National Team, Gutiérrez lamented that "before, the player was practically dedicated to his profession and everything that it entails; today, they have different distractions that are part of the football industry."
When asked if he thought the recent dismissal of Diego Cocca as the manager of Mexico was hasty, he replied: "Well, you see, in my case, I lacked time to develop a project; they didn't give me that time and in the end, look, Cruz Azul didn't even qualify."
"I think I have to give the benefit of the doubt to a coach who seems to have needed a little more time," concluded Raúl Gutiérrez.