Atlas coach still hopes for a spot in the postseason

Although Atlas is out of the title race, coach Profe Cruz clings to the possibility of advancing to the next round. The Atlas coach hopes to have a strong finish to the tournament and make it to the playoffs.

"We have five games left and the margin for error is reduced to zero. We will face each of these five matches as a final, there is no other way to do it, with the sole objective of getting three points, because that allows us to be in the playoffs. Personally, I think we have chances. We are two points away from eighth place, but it will be essential to maintain our home form while also getting points away."

The coach set an extremely high goal, to win 30 points in the centennial year, but due to mathematical reasons, it will no longer be possible to reach that figure. Now, at least, the coach hopes to accumulate 15 points.

"We will not reach that 30-point goal, it is not possible. Injuries are a factor, the Colombian players have had an impact, and there has been a decline in the performance of top scorer Duque. We are trying to recover him, but we have accumulated a series of draws at home that have not allowed us to meet expectations. Draws away can be good results, but at home, they are bad. We have had games in our pocket that we let slip away. In general, I think we have lacked efficiency in defining matches when we have the possibility of beating and overpowering an opponent with goals, we give them a chance to react."

"Aren't you a bit worried about the team's relegation situation?"

"When you plan or take on a project, you consider everything, numbers, statistics, everything. It is evident that last season we earned 14 points, which has made the situation more difficult. But now there are 15 points left, and one thing will lead to another. If we are capable of earning the most points possible, we will give ourselves a little more margin, we will strengthen our methods and our objectives. We are aware of the situation, and there is a latent concern."

Finally, the strategist for the rojinegros stated that throughout the tournament they have only had two bad afternoons, one of them being in León. He stressed that they have fought head-to-head with the rest of the opponents.

"We respect all opponents, but this Atlas team has played intelligent matches. There have been two bad ones, but we have not been inferior against teams with superior squads. To reach those 12 points, it is essential that we earn three against Querétaro. If we do that, we will be a strengthened team. In Mexico, anything is possible. The last-placed team can beat the first-placed team, and the eighth-placed team in the playoffs can beat the leader. That's something that happens in our league."

GPE