Guadalajara (Mexico), May 14. The Serbian-Spanish Veljko Paunovic, coach of Chivas de Guadalajara, praised this Sunday the growth and leadership of his team to defeat Atlas and achieve their pass to the semifinal of the Mexican soccer Clausura tournament.
This Sunday, Guadalajara defeated Atlas 1-0 and entered the best four phase by tying the series and eliminating their rival for having had a better position in the table in the regular phase of the championship.
“In the first game we failed to score the goal we needed, however, we didn’t fall apart; the result was traceable, but we had to make a tremendous effort. Compared to when we started, the team has fantastic leadership, conviction and a group that is one thousand percent,” he said at a press conference.
Paunovic pointed out that he was not surprised by the drama of the return match against Atlas, which he described as a dignified and difficult opponent.
He affirmed that his team had the intensity that it lacked in the first leg but should not be trusted in the commitments of the next phase, in which they will face América, in the Mexican soccer derby.
“I am delighted to see that the players continue to grow and improve and also achieve objectives, but we have not done anything yet, it is important to celebrate but also to start preparing the game for the clásico,” he said.
The strategist stated that the level of competition in the group of the best eight forced the team to get the best of itself and give two good games.
“It’s a demanding competition that brought out the best in us and our rival. In the two games we’ve put on a great show and that’s due to the way we compete and what this system demands,” he said. EFE
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