América remains top of the table with 28 points after a 1-1 draw against Xolos, but coach Guillermo Almada admitted his side must sharpen its finishing and tighten its defense. Cruz Azul and Guadalajara are now just two points behind, making any slip more costly.
- Key Point: The draw kept América in first place with 28 points, while Cruz Azul and Guadalajara sit two points back.
- Key Point: Almada said his team creates more chances than opponents but fails to convert them into goals.
- Key Point: The coach stressed that his staff gives equal attention to attacking output and preventing goals.
Dominance without goals
Almada argued that América has out-created its rivals, yet acknowledged that such superiority means little without a scoreline to show for it. He noted that the lack of cutting edge has surfaced in the last two matches and has become a priority for his coaching staff.
“Los partidos no se ganan con mérito, se ganan con goles”, afirmó Almada.
The manager said the Xolos match offered positives in his team's attacking initiative, as América constantly sought the opponent's goal and generated chances, though he felt clarity was missing at times.
“Hoy lo que me gustó, la iniciativa, el ir a buscar permanentemente”, señaló el estratega en conferencia de prensa después del partido. “En algún momento nos faltó claridad, pero el rival juega y hace cosas también”.
Almada conceded that good play alone does not secure wins without goals. He believed América held statistical superiority and more opportunities than its opponent, but warned that football is decided in the penalty areas.
“Generalmente tenés que ganar el partido”, dijo sobre el dominio numérico de su equipo. “Pero tanto el partido este como el anterior tuvimos situaciones”.
The coach focused on finishing, an area he said América had resolved for much of the tournament. The draw against Tijuana put that issue back among the staff's priorities.
“Tendremos que seguir mejorando el volumen de juego y encontrar la definición”, expuso Almada.
He also dismissed the idea that the problem was solely a lack of offensive production, insisting his players reached shooting positions.
The Xolos goal and defensive security
Almada's other concern was defense. He assured that the coaching staff places the same weight on creating chances as on keeping goals out.
“Nos está ocupando eso, como la seguridad defensiva también, porque le prestamos la misma atención a las dos situaciones”, sostuvo el técnico de América durante la misma conferencia.
Tijuana's goal came in the 12th minute after a recovery by Jesús Gómez and a finish from Elías Manoel inside the box. The goal stemmed from a Dagoberto Espinoza error; Gómez won the ball and assisted the Tijuana attacker, who beat Rodolfo Cota to open the scoring. The hosts responded seven minutes later with a cross-shot from Miguel Borja.
América found the equalizer when Isaías Violante slipped a pass to Borja. The forward struck across goal to beat Antonio Rodríguez, who later denied other América chances. The lack of a second goal kept the match open until the end, and Xolos held on even after being reduced to ten men following a VAR-reviewed expulsion in the closing minutes.
Schedule and Gilberto Mora's return
Almada linked some of the difficulties to the congested fixture list. The run of matches, he explained, reduced the time available to work on tactical and technical aspects during the week.
“Esta continuidad y seguidilla de partidos a veces te dejan trabajar poco porque priorizás la recuperación de los futbolistas”, apuntó.
The coach suggested that player rest has become a necessity given the calendar. Meanwhile, Xolos reached 21 points and moved into seventh place. Gilberto Mora saw action again, entering in the 57th minute after more than a month out with physical discomfort.
With América still leading but its advantage over Cruz Azul and Guadalajara cut to two points, the flaws Almada identified carry immediate weight: unless finishing and defensive security improve, the team's attacking volume may not be enough to protect the top spot in the coming weeks.