WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Jenni Hermoso returns to Pachuca CF training ahead of América clash
The Pachuca player has finally returned to training with the Mexican club in time for a crucial match against América.
Jenni Hermoso is finally ready to return to the pitch. The Spanish international is now, at long last, able to be fully focussed on the season ahead with Pachuca. After not being called up to Spain’s recent Nations League games as, incredibly, Montse Tomé wanted to “protect her”, the Madrid native was able to rest and come into the squad at full fitness to once again be a key part of the Mexican team that is currently in the midst of their Apertura campaign.
After returning to Mexico and subsequently spending weeks in the shadows, the forward has taken part in this week’s training sessions along with the rest of her teammates. And this is not a regular week for the side, as they have a key match on the horizon: Pachuca are about to welcome Club América to their stadium: a complicated rival, América are the current champions of the league and Pachuca’s greatest rival for the title.
Jenni the main focus ahead of América clash - will she play?
The forward, who returned to Mexico on September 11 after winning the World Cup with Spain, will be, as usual, fundamental for her coach Juan Carlos Cacho, as she was last season. In both matches before the international break, Jenni was only able to get out onto the grass for a few minutes. Specifically, she came on in the 87th minute against Pumas and in the 80th minute against Monterrey.
The world champion is without a doubt the main focus for Pachuca ahead of the match against América. In addition to being La Roja’s main attacking outlet in the World Cup, she had performed brilliantly in the Mexican league, where the best version of Jenni Hermoso was seen once again - she even closed out the campaign as the top scorer. As a result, and as has become normal, Jenni is once again nominated for The Best award. At 33 years old, nothing and no one can stop the Spanish star.
Whether she will start the game or not is entirely up to Juan Carlos Cacho and his coaching team. There is no physical issue with Jenni, and as mentioned, she has been in fine form in terms of her football output. However, given her match fitness levels may be down due to the lack of playing time she has seen (given everything that has happened), it may be more likely to see the World Cup winner play a part off the bench instead of starting the match.