The Ecuadorian coach, Félix Sánchez, stated one day before the match against Mexico that “it would be a bad idea to go out and tie” and that the game against El Tri will be “a final.”
Mexico and Ecuador play for a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa América this Sunday, in the last match of Group B, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale (Arizona).
Both teams accumulate three points, but La Tri arrives with an advantage by surpassing its rival by goal difference, so Sánchez’s team can use a draw, while Mexico only has to win.
“It would be a bad option to go out with the mentality of tying the game. We are not going to go crazy either. We are going to try to play a good game and win to get our ticket to the quarterfinals,” said the Spanish coach.
“The team is confident. It’s a final. We face a great rival who, like us, may not have been able to get more points but has played two great games. That will make it difficult for us, but we are prepared,” he added.
Be careful, Mexico, Ecuador is a steamroller!
The South American team reports ready for the Copa América
Sánchez acknowledged that Mexico has always been strong and that it motivates them to beat a rival that has historically surpassed Ecuador: “We take it as a challenge, it is a demanding match, Mexico has always been very powerful and it is another motivation to beat them.”
Without confirming the lineup with which he will enter the game, Sánchez spoke of captain Enner Valencia, who served his suspension match against Jamaica and will most likely command the Ecuadorian attack.
“Enner is our captain. He is an important player, with a goal. We hope that tomorrow he can help us like the rest of the players, he comes fresh,” he said.
The strategist also referred to the importance of the match against Mexico: “Since I have been in Ecuador, each match is the most important of my career. Tomorrow will undoubtedly be the most important.”
And of his continuity in the position, he said: “It is a question that should not be asked of me (…) there is pressure for everyone and this is football. It is better not to focus on the things that one cannot control. in them because it means wasting time and energy.
