“I am dejected” says UNAM coach Andrés Lillini

The Pumas can’t find the exit from the tunnel they entered eight games ago. On Saturday they had an early advantage over Chivas, but in the end they came out of the Akron Stadium with a 3-1 loss. Coach Andrés Lillini acknowledges that he is living through one of the worst moments of his career and he says he is feeling very down after the result that plunges UNAM into penultimate position in the table.

“We couldn’t find a way around it, we haven’t won for eight games. The situation is complicated from the statistical point of view. We have nine points, far from almost all of them to be able to catch the peloton.

“Although there are still 21 points up for grabs, for us the situation is complicated.

“As for my situation, I’m dejected by the defeat in a game that we were winning, a very difficult situation personally. I am filled with great sadness, the club doesn’t deserve anything that is happening, the fans don’t deserve what is happening either. I am responsible, everything I told you is inside my body at a time like this and it is very difficult.”

“Yes, it’s very delicate, of course, very, very delicate. One of the worst I’ve been through, for sure. Football gives you more of these moments than the good ones, you have to be aware, assume the responsibilities and consequences of these complex situations. I’m fine with myself, I think the boys will be able to pull it off.” he added.

“Look, the spirit is the main thing, this game, although it is with the feet, the strength is from the head. These negative inertias that exist in all teams, you have to find a way around it quickly to overcome them. There are inertias that you win at any cost and there are inertias like this, negative, that goals fall to you in any way. It’s hard for us, we were winning. I believe in that, I don’t believe in luck, I think it’s a matter of being hit by a blow and in recent games it’s hard for us to get out of that blow. We had shown good light against Tigres, but entering these last five games we tied one and lost four. They have the strength to pull it off, you have to be together, keep your mouth shut, show your face, assume the responsibility that we must assume and be strong, because this game is mainly about the mental and the strengths that one has”, he asserted.

“What I have always based on is internal strength, from the individual to the group. If they are not convinced or internally they are not well, it will be very difficult. From an individual point of view, lean on those who have always supported me, the academy players, my coaching staff and the great players who endure difficult situations. Together we must amalgamate this, move this forward because the fans and the club deserve it, the two greatest things to defend. We have to believe, sometimes more than we are, to face these challenges. Soccer gives you many more of these situations than good ones and for the future of all, these situations strengthen you if you know how to handle them, if you don’t fall to the bottom of the sea and nobody is going to help you. Re-create in ourselves, in everything we did, in what was satisfied and move forward. It’s a group with mental strength, they just have to win one game and I’m sure they’re going to do it”, concluded Andrés Lillini.