Vega focused on match fitness and stamina

It’s been a while since Alexis Vega completed an entire competitive soccer match. Last weekend he played his first minutes with Toluca, and even managed to get on the scoresheet in the 4-1 home win against León - and completed his first 45 minutes with his new employers. It was an encouraging start for the former Chivas winger but tougher tests lie ahead. Yesterday, he came on as a second half sub in the CONCACAF Champions League Round 1 tie against Herediano. Now he needs to build back his fitness to be able to withstand 90 minutes out on the pitch. That’s the situation he is in after a long period of inactivity.

He was used as a sub in a couple of the playoffs at the start of December, but the last time he played a full match was back in August - the Week 6 Apertura 2023 game against Santos Languna. In fact that was the only game he completed from start to finish in the last tournament. He spent a long period without playing for Chivas due to being suspended after failing to comply with disciplinary issues. Now he is back with his first club, says he is psyched up to give his best for the team.

Vega taking it one step at a time

“Little by little I am settling into the team”. Vega said at a press conference. “The coaching staff have given me some playing time. Obviously I don’t want to overdo it and push myself too hard just yet. I had spent two and a half weeks without even touching a football. Then after two training sessions, I played my first league game. I’ll be taking it step by step. I played 20 minutes, then 45. And hopefully get to 90 so that I can improving, contributing to my team either with goals or assists, which is very important to me. Collective work is always very important, and scoring goals breeds confidence. My team mates made my job all the easier - it was a great move and a great pass. All I had to do was finish it off” .

He continued: “The team played really well. We created a lot of danger and chances to score. I had a lot of chances and that is all down to the work of the team. Of course I am absolutely delighted to have got on the scoresheet. Whoever scores is helping the team and that makes me very happy - I hope I can continue to help by scoring many more goals”.

Vega and Toluca are next in action on Saturday when they visit Necaxa in matchday 6 of the Clausura 2024. The team is currently seventh in the Liga MX standings, just one point and one place below this weekend’s opponents after having won two, drawn two and lost one since the campaign began. After that, the Diablos play the return leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Round 1 tie against Herediano.