Mexico concludes a successful October international window
Yesterday night at the Eagles’ stadium in Philadelphia, Mexico tied against Germany, in the second of two friendly matches after beating Ghana 2-0 over the weekend in Charlotte. These two matches represent the biggest test in technical terms for Jaime Lozano’s team since he began his tenure of El Tri, back in the Copa Oro last summer as an interim.
They made it looked easy against Ghana
In the first match against Ghana, Mexico showed a significant improvement over their previous two matches against Uzbekistan and Australia, where they tied 3-3 and 2-2 respectively. The team showed a number of attributes that allowed it to control the game despite the apparent physical inferiority. Attributes such as a relentless pressure on all parts of the pitch, a talented mid-field, two wingers that were as incisive as they were quick to take on defensive tasks, and a line of defense that was organized and with enough technical proficiency to resolve most attacks, although the Ghanians didn’t show much in terms of attack. This despite the fact that the African team boasts players that compete in Europe’s best leagues.
There are a number of individual cases that do merit extra attention. Machín Alvarez has achieved perhaps the highest level of all the men in green. Uriel Antuna is one of those players who may not shine brightly with his team week after week, but every time he wears the national shirt he delivers, and this time around against Ghana he was the best on the pitch. Lastly, Cesar Huerta showed that he is the most important Mexican young player right now, and that he is up to the challenge of becoming a game changer with the national team. We can already anticipate a tough battle against Chucky Lozano, who also had a great night scoring the first goal, to determine who will be the starter in that left wing over the longer run.
A great night against Germany
Against Germany, Jimmy Lozano sent what seems to become his preferred starting team, although there may be a few adjustments down the road. Gallardo, Montes and Vasquez are fixtures in the back, while Arteaga, who had a great match against Ghana, will have to compete with Gallardo for that left back. The right full back was successfully managed by Jorge Sanchez. In the midfield Alvarez is essential while Chavez has become another player who could see continued playtime in future important matches. A pleasant surprise was the dynamism and sacrifice given by Chiquito Sanchez, who could become another fixture of Lozano’s eleven. The likes of Pineda, Romo and Cordova will have to compete to take a spot in the midfield.
Lastly, the attack is what seems to be the best nurtured this time around. There are at least four decent options for a centre-forward: Chaquito, Raul, Martin and we can expect the arrival of Quiñones shortly. The wings are also well taken care of, with Lozano who is still the most important attacker for Mexico at a club level and with Antuna who delivers his best for El Tri, while the aforementioned Huerta will keep these two on their toes.
The team fell short of perfection against the Germans. All the attributes they showed against Ghana were intensified. The solidarity and intensity that each player showed was nothing short of moving. During the later parts of the second half it truly felt that Mexico was closer to the victory than the Europeans. Lozano mentioned at the end of the game that he tries to exploit a number of common attributes that he finds in the Mexican player, namely a willingness to run and exert high pressure, a good technique that allows them to play with the ball at high speed and with accuracy and a good disposition to play as a team. He showed this at the highest of levels against an always dangerous Germany.
Just a few things to notice in the game against the Germans. Set pieces continue to be the Achilles heel of Lozano’s Mexico and a long-standing maladie for El Tri in general. This time Germany was able to pull the same corner strategy successfully twice in a row, the second time around scoring. Also, for the attack, it is essential to be able to resolve the chances that arise against the greater teams, because many times they don’t come twice. In this regard, Santiago Gimenez didn’t have his best night, but we are sure he will deliver as he keeps growing in Europe.
The road to Copa America
The next for El Tri will be the Quarter Finals of the Concacaf Nations League against Honduras in two matches –one home and one away– in November. In case of winning, Mexico will access the 2024 Copa America directly, in case of losing they will have to play a single match against another loser of the quarterfinals to access the tournament.
