Orbelin Pineda reappeared at a crucial time for Monterrey, and Matas Almeyda was in particular praise for his effectiveness at Chicago Fire. The Mexican playmaker scored the goal that gave Rayados the lead to the 2-1 victory and his place in the Leagues Cup semi-finals.
The Argentine coach highlighted both the conditions in which one of his most confident footballers was playing both on the field and outside of it after the game, never spared praise for one of his most assured players.
He is one of the most knowledgeable people I've trained, and he's sincere. Orbelin Pineda is a player who plays sports well and is sincere, and he makes it bigger. Almeyda said at the click conference following Monterrey's 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire that I think he must have played in the 250 games I've been training him. " I'm happy that he's the player I've coached the most of my life," Almeyda said.
The midfielder appeared to handle a game that was tied in the final minutes, and the coach of Rayados also praised the way in which he appeared.
It brings me joy. He fired a chance, grabbed a reset, and now that chance, he has. And in the end, he continued," We had set ourselves in benefits. "
Orbelin Pineda and his golazo, which led to La Pandilla's following and triumph? photograph. https ://twitter. com/rOGhpCBSv
Thanks to Pineda's specific action in the 83rd moment, the complement had a positive outcome for Monterrey. The Mexican capitalized on a reset and fired a prominent cross-foot shot that was beyond the Chicago Fire's archer.
The score meant the final 2-1 and allowed Rayados to advance to the Leagues Cup semi-finals, after a match in which he had to overcome different moments of pressure.
Lucas Ocampos had the opportunity to advance his team from the penalty point, but his shot ended in a crash.
Shortly after, in the fifth minute of the time added, Víctor Guzmán appeared to score in the head after a center Gerardo Arteaga and put the 1-0.
The Chicago Fire reacted in the second half and found the draw thanks to Philip Zinckernagel, who took advantage of an assistance from Andrew Gutman to establish the 1-1.
When the match seemed to be aimed at a closed definition, Orbelín Pineda appeared. his volleyball in the final section again put Monterrey ahead and ended up being determining for the ranking.
DON ORBELÍN PINEDA.?? Agency Mexsport pic.twitter.com/6qtDO8L3eP
Beyond the result, Matías Almeyda put special emphasis on the difficulties that his team traversed before the match.
“I’m never apologizing, but I want to say it because this group is fighting in a special way. We were scheduled to arrive on Sunday, on time. The plane tried to take off, did not take off, they wanted to fix it, they could not. We spent seven hours on the plane. Yesterday we arrived later and ended training yesterday at 10 o’clock,” he said.
The Argentinian noted that the circumstances did not affect the willingness of his players to face the Leagues Cup commitment.
“If they had seen this group inside an airplane, they took it, they invested for joy, there were no excuses. This group that trained, I am grateful because it has predisposition, desires. In the face of adversity, they give more. The delivery is always there,” he continued.
Matías Almeyda confesses and reveals everything that Monterrey had to happen to be able to get to Chicago and play the game. now you understand why this triumph is too much?
Another footballer recognized by the coach was Lucas Ocampos, who had the possibility to score from the penalty, but sent his shot to the deck.
For Almeyda, the later reaction of the Argentine was a demonstration of his importance within the Monterrey dressing room.
“Ocampos is on a level like the one I met him, sometimes struggling with those adversities of wanting to do everything right. He has dedication, he has self-love, he has courage and, when he failed the penalty, which is not usual in him, he continued, he insisted. It is important for the group. When we see it calm, it pushes, it contagies. This group will grow a lot,” he said.
Ocampos' ability to stay involved after the failed penalty ended up being relevant in a match that Monterrey had to solve until the last minutes.
The Argentine coach also took advantage of his appearance to talk about the MX League and explain why he decided to return to Mexican football.
“I’m a nomadic mix with a Gypsy and I say it because I feel that way. I left my father’s house at the age of 15 and never returned, I was adapting to various cultures. I’ve met a lot of people, I’ve met a lot of people inside and outside of football and that has made me grow. I’m a fan of the MX League,” he said.
“I knew that at some point I was going to come back, but it had to be done naturally, not forced, and this was the time when I decided to go back. I had other proposals, they showed me a lot of affection and I presented a project. I will believe that this project will go,” he added.
Almeyda believes that Mexican football has sufficient arguments to receive greater international attention and questioned that the competition does not have a broader television exposure.
“The MX League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, what happens is that the world didn’t realize it has to be televised. Very few know it, most leave it aside and make a mistake. Football lovers should see this league, because it has great coaches with great proposals. You always have to study the rival and the format makes it not always the same. In Mexico, anyone wins anyone. The Mexican League, I say, should be televised, because there are Mexicans all over the world. This is unusual,” concluded the Argentine.
With the victory over Chicago Fire, Monterrey has already secured its place among the four best in the Leagues Cup.
The rival of Rayados will leave the confrontation between America and Columbus Crew, so the next commitment will define Monterrey’s path to the tournament final.
