Club America's Osvaldo Martinez (pictured) speaks to the media on April 7, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY -- With his team trailing 3-0 in its Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) semifinal series against Herediano, Club America midfielder Osvaldo Martinez is preaching calm ahead of Wednesday’s second leg at the Estadio Azteca.
In order to secure a place in the final, the Aguilas need to do something that no other side has done before: overcome a three-goal deficit in the SCCL semifinals and advance.
“It is going to be key to be calm on the last line of defense because we know we need three goals in order to reverse this and we are aware of that,” said Martinez. “The opening minutes will be fundamental that we are calm, mentally strong, keeping in mind that a goal can happen at any moment and to defend our goal.”
Knowing that Club America has scored three goals or more in two of its five all-time SCCL home games, the Paraguayan stressed that maintaining focus will be critical.
“We know that we are three goals down, so the team has the mentality of going out tomorrow with our heads up because we know that the opposing team is coming in to take care of the scoreline and take their time,” Martinez expressed. “For that reason, we have to play our game and not get into it with the referee, a lesson we learned from the previous match.”
Martinez reiterated that Club America, which has a 2W-0D-3L SCCL record against Costa Rican clubs (including a 1-0 loss at home to another Costa Rican squad -- Alajuelense -- in 2013), respects Herediano. He is confident, though, that a comeback is a strong possibility.
“In 90 minutes, they had three goals, so why can’t we score three goals or more in 90 minutes,” remarked Martinez, a 2010/11 SCCL champion with Monterrey. “For this, we need to be calm. We respect the opponent in front of us, but I think that tomorrow the team will go out with all the attitude of pushing the situation.”
The former Atlante standout, who celebrates his 29th birthday on Thursday, said that the five-time CONCACAF club champion is motivated by the prize of competing in December’s FIFA Club World Cup.
“What player doesn’t want to play in a Club World Cup, knowing that you are in an institution in which one has to win what there is to be won,” Martinez concluded. “So for me, because of the quality of its players, it would be a failure for America not to make it.
“Tomorrow we are going to win.”
