America misses out on the final

Not even the best reinforcements could lead them to glory. Once again, Miguel Herrera's America was just one step away from the grand final. Specific errors were what kept them out, but true to their self-critical nature, Piojo admitted that the elimination is indeed a failure, but he remains calm because his team fought for the match.

"The team played well, tried. The first leg was what harmed us and here we had to take too many risks. Unfortunately, it is a failure when you don't bring a title here," said the azulcrema coach, adding that "I still have two years left on my contract, the decision about my stay is up to the board, not me".

In his analysis of the match, Herrera saw that his team started getting desperate and giving away plays to Santos, mistakes that he classified as childish and undoubtedly took a toll on them.

"We lacked composure and ball possession. We started off very well, but we lose a ball due to childish carelessness and they score 2-1. We were not accurate, obviously they were going to take advantage of the spaces we left because we are attacking. Now, I insist, we cannot have such childish mistakes like letting someone slip through the center of your zone," said the coach.

At the end of the match, the America players remained on the field for several minutes. Some wandered aimlessly, others held their heads. They were in shock. When asked about this episode of disbelief at the elimination, Piojo commented on the conversation he had before coming down to the press conference.

"Yes, I saw them. They were down. But all I told them was Thank you for your effort and determination. Obviously, we will be bitter the entire week for not reaching the championship, which was the primary goal, but that's it. We have to change gears, let them go on vacation, enjoy their families, and come back strong for the next tournament."

Piojo denied that the list of transferable players that was published a few days ago, which included Oribe Peralta and Paul Aguilar as some of the main ones to leave the club, is real.

"I will just sit down with Santiago (Baños) and Mauricio (Culebro) to define those kinds of matters. We are just finishing the tournament today, so there is nothing of that sort yet."

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