Brian Rodríguez: “It would be special to have a ‘Clásico Nacional’ in the semis”
The Uruguayan striker’s late strike saved the day for América after Atlético San Luis levelled the tie. He spoke about the team’s deficiencies in Saturday’s quarter final.
América, the favorites to win the Clausura 2023 title, suffered a reality check in Saturday’s quarter final return leg against Atlético San Luis. Right from kick-off, the visitors had their opponent against the ropes. The situation reached critical level when Unai Bilbao and Leonardo Bonatini put Atlético San Luis 0-2 up within the first half hour to level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate.
Team changes
Before the game, Águilas coach Fernando Ortíz had been conditioned by Israel Reyes’ sending off in the first leg and star striker Henry Martín suffering discomfort. Given those shortcomings in key positions, Ortíz replaced the pair with Néstor Araujo and Federico Viñas in his starting XI. It appearing to be turning into a nightmare until Brian Rodríguez popped up with a decisive goal on 88 minutes.
The Uruguayan, who came on as a sub for the last 20 minutes, admitted to TUDN afterwards that the team had suffered but with humility had managed to get the better of their opponents. The 22-year-old also mentioned that last season they paid dearly for mistakes, in the semi-finals against Toluca - mistakes which they must learn from and move on.
Clásico Nacional
Rodríguez was in doubt about when reporter Julio Ibáñez asked him who he would like to face in the semi-finals: “Obviously a Clásico in the semis would be special,” was his reply. For that to happen, Chivas must turn around the 1-0 advantage that Atlas took in the first leg. The two biggest teams in Mexican football met at the semi-finalstage 17 years ago, in the Apertura 2006, which Chivas won 2-0 on their way to lifting the title.