CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
André Jardine: “In 15-20 days we’ll hit playoff level”
The Águilas coach is confiden that his team will continue to evolve over the next couple of weeks, leading up to the Round of 16 clash with Chivas.
For América coach André Jardine, the best of is yet to come. The Brazilian was in upbeat mood after watching his team eliminate Real Estelí this week to advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 and says his side will soon be hitting peak form. “Our team has to be forceful, the first result [2-1 in the first leg] was not good. We went into it with a little desperation, anxiety and unrest,” he told reporters. “I would be worried if we weren’t generating chances on goal, but we did. The defence stayed firm - the performance was consistent - perfect. Despite that, there is room for improvement. In 15 or 20 days we will be at the same level we had in the league playoffs”.
América pushed all the way by Estelí
Jardine did admit however that the second leg of the tie against Real Estelí, was far from easy as they had to respond after losing the first leg 2-1. It meant they had to win at Estadio Ciudad de Deportes. A 2-0 home victory saw the Águilas through 3-2 on aggregate. “It was a difficult match to play,” the coach agreed. “Our rivals had nothing to lose. They planned the game well and they had several opportunities on the counter attack. We moved forward and opened spaces. We had a lot to play for - the players were tense, not calm. But now it’s over, the job’s done and we can start thinking about this weekend’s game against Pachuca.”
Chivas will be the next rival in the CONCACAF tournament. The South American coach says that his team is ready for the tie - a new edition of the Clásico Nacional. “We don’t choose our rivals, it’s just the way it’s worked out. We’re ready. Of course we respect Chivas too. It’s going to be a very tough game but before that we have the next one to think about - Pachuca (in the Liga MX),” the Azulcrema coach concluded.
Jardine was keen to steer clear of the debate surrounding some of the controversial refereeing decisions in the CONCACAF Champions Cup game. Tempers flared during isolated moments of the return leg against Estelí and Sebastián Cáceres escaped with just a booking after a VAR review overturned a red card decision. Chivas await in the next round - the first leg will be played at Akron stadium on 6 March with the return at the Azteca a week later on 14 March.