Benedetti and Castillo fail to shine with America
When both players arrived in Mexico everyone expected they would make a difference right from the start, but injuries have taken their toll.
At the end of the winter transfer window of 2019, America announced two of the biggest signings for that semester, Nicolas Benedetti and Nicolas Castillo. The club had to pay close to $11 million for the Chilean striker and despite not playing a lot in Europe, he was one of the best forwards when he played for Pumas back in 2017-18.
Nicolas Castillo has failed to make an impact
He has played an entire year now with Club America and in two semesters he has been injured on four different occasions. A couple of days ago he suffered a second thrombosis and required emergency surgery.
So far the bosses, fans and the current manager are not satisfied with what he has shown with America because back in 2017 he scored 26 goals with Pumas and they were expecting Castillo to improve those numbers while playing in the Liga MX.
The ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ was when he missed a penalty kick last year in the final at the Aztec stadium that gave Monterrey the title. So far in two semesters with America, Castillo has only scored 9 goals in 27 games.
Benedetti has suffered many injuries
Nicolas Benedetti is nicknamed ‘El Poeta’ or ‘The Poet’ and he was presented as one of Colombia’s most promising young talents. America paid $7 million according to Transfermarkt and unlike Castillo he made an immediate impact with the team. He scored a goal in the Copa MX when America eliminated Chivas in the quarter finals but a couple of games later he suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot.
For the Apertura 2019 Benedetti returned to the field but for that semester, America brought in more players and it was hard for him to return to his level and most of the games he came on as a sub. Benedetti ended up playing only 6 games.
This year nothing has changed because he was playing the Pre-Olympic tournament with Colombia and he suffered a serious knee injury that will keep him out another six months. Benedetti has only scored 5 goals since arriving in Mexico.