MEXICO
Jaime Lozano reveals why Santi Giménez isn’t always playing
During the press conference prior to the game against Germany, the Mexican head coach clarified the doubts surrounding the forwards.
The Mexican national team face Germany on Tuesday 17 October, in a friendly match during the FIFA international break. Despite it not being a competitive match, it is expected to be a challenging encounter given that they are up against one of the most powerful nations over the last five decades. This match, which deviates from the usual standards, represents the most significant test for Jaime Lozano, the newly appointed head coach of the Mexican national team.
Mexico prepare for Germany
Following the first match during this international break, the Mexican coach faced severe scrutiny from the press, fans, and analysts alike. This was primarily due to his decision not to start Santiago Giménez, the Feyenoord forward, whose current performances have garnered significant attention worldwide.
During the press conference leading up to the match, ‘Jimmy’ addressed the situation.
“These are preparation matches, and we have the opportunity to assess more forwards. During the Gold Cup, I didn’t make many changes; the same players were essentially on the field. But these are preparation games, and not just Mexico, all national teams use them for the same purpose – to explore other options.”
Giménez on Mexico rotation
“If we look at the previous FIFA fixture, Santi played one match, and Raúl started another match,” Lozano continued. “My explanation is that it’s not a justification, but we need to have the smartest players possible. Raúl had an excellent performance the day before and greatly contributed. Whoever plays tomorrow will likely do the same.”
These statements appear somewhat contradictory in light of having players who do not fit within his system, such as the goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who has been a regular starter in all the matches under Jaime’s leadership of the national team (including his interim role). He also took the opportunity to state that they will take the field with no reservations and go all out for victory. Despite not having any immediate reward from this friendly match, they must make the most of the caliber of these opponents in preparation for future important tournaments.
“We aim to maintain the strong defensive performance we displayed in the previous match against Ghana, ensuring that the team defends effectively,” he said. “Against teams like Germany, there will undoubtedly be moments when they take the initiative and control the game.
“I want us to be proactive even without the ball, and when we have possession, I want us to display courage and clarity in order to inflict damage. Naturally, our goal is to go out there and win,” concluded the national team manager.