SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Even with a comfortable 7-1 lead from the first leg of its 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League semifinal against Plaza Amador, Olimpia plans to stay on the front foot when it hosts the Panamanian side Thursday.
“It is an extra motivation to continue working in the best way, because it is an international match, it is an important tournament,” said forward Javier Estupiñan. “We are professionals and we have to take it in the best way.”
Estupiñan, who has made three SCL appearances, believes that a good performance at the Estadio Olipmico Metropolitano would provide a boost to a side that currently sits eighth in the Honduran Apertura table.
“We know that despite the result in Panama, we cannot relax,” he commented. “We know that on Thursday we have to try to win the match. It’s always important to finish matches. That gives confidence and inspiration to continue working in the best way.”
Teammate German Mejia echoed Estupinan’s sentiments, emphasizing that regardless of the aggregate scoreline, Olimpia wants a positive result.
“We go in serious in all matches and tomorrow we are going to approach the match in the best way and we have to get a good result,” said the 22-year-old midfielder.
As part of the press conference, head coach Carlos Restrepo also confirmed the starting XI for Thursday:
Donis Escober; Kevin Alvarez, Johnny Palacios, Andres Quejada, Danilo Tobias; Alex Lopez, Luis Garrido, Marcelo Canales, Michael Chirinos; Roger Rojas, Javier Estupiñan