SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Alianza Head Coach Wilson Gutierrez knows that inspiration will not be a problem for his team when they square off against Honduran club Motagua on Thursday in the first leg of the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League semifinals at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.
“I think we’re doing well. We arrive motivated for being in a semifinal in an international tournament, representing not only Alianza, but all of El Salvador,” said Gutierrez in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. “I think that’s important and enough motivation to head into the match in the best way,” added Gutierrez.
Having collected impressive wins over San Francisco of Panama (6-1), Tauro of Panama (2-1) and Costa Rica’s San Carlos (2-1) to reach this phase of the tournament, Gutierrez believes those results give his team the confidence they need.
“I think we’ve have gotten good results, which keeps us calm going into the match and that we are doing things well. We’re going to face an opponent that is very important and that too is an important reason to stay motivated, face this match with the best attitude and do things well to reach the final,” said Gutierrez.
Joining Gutierrez in the pre-match press conference was MF stalwart Marvin Monterroza. The El Salvador international has enjoyed an excellent run of form for both club and country and believes Alianza can impose their will at home against the Catracho visitors.
“We have earned important results at home and we will look to do it tomorrow and play our game,” said Monterroza.
While Gutierrez acknowledged the threat posed by Motagua, he reaffirmed his faith in his players that they can get the job done on Thursday.
“Motagua is a strong team. They have fast players, strong in the aerial game and pressure. As we do our job, we can do damage to them,” concluded Gutierrez.