Aguirre admits to being “quite annoyed” ahead of England game

Mexico manager Javi Aguirre spoke to the press ahead of the huge upcoming game between El Tri and the Three Lions in the World Cup Round of 16.

The game has a place in the quarter-finals riding on it, and Mexico go into the fixture with home advantage, a full-to-the rafters Azteca crowd will cheer them on from the stands.

Much has been made of the ‘welcome’ England’s players may receive in the hours leading up to the game, with Ecuador, Mexico’s previous opponents, kept awake the night before the Round of 32 tie with fireworks being set off outside their hotel.

However, this time, both sides have had their schedules wobbled, with rumours growing of a late change to the kick-off time of the game. While nothing was confirmed in the end, it still royally angered Javi Aguirre.

“I don’t like it one bit, and neither do my players”

“Now we have to change the entire training schedule. It’s not that all the work goes to waste, but almost, because you’re losing six hours that were already planned. I don’t like it at all, but obviously we’ll comply with whatever FIFA decides. I don’t like it one bit, and neither do my players,” he told Radio Fórmula.

“We’ve got an activation session early in the morning, lunch, a team meeting and then the match. It throws everything off because you have to reschedule the whole day and get up earlier. I really don’t like the idea,” he said again, it think making his point sufficiently clear.

“Of course, the food, the naps, the physiotherapy, everything. It might sound trivial, but it isn’t. Today [yesterday], there are 60 people working here to make sure these 26 lads go out on Sunday and win the match,” he continued, smoke now billowing out of his ears. “That’s no small thing. The truth is, it’s a pretty significant change. As I said, I can understand the reasons and the arguments, but nobody consulted me and, yes, I’m pretty bloody angry,” he said.

“It is what it is. It feels like a kick in the stomach because it changes the whole plan, all the work. Not that it completely goes to waste, but almost, because you’ve just thrown away six hours of scheduled work,” he said. Point made. Although it might be worth reminding him that the change didn’t happen.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.