Aguirre Dismisses Azteca…

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s head coach, Javier Aguirre, is dismissing any notions that the altitude of the Azteca Stadium will provide his team with an advantage as they prepare to face England in the World Cup round-of-16 match. He also indicated that potential changes to the kickoff time have not affected his players.

This knockout match will be held in front of a passionate home crowd, with Mexico boasting a remarkable record of only two losses at the Azteca throughout their history in men’s World Cup competitions. The stadium’s elevation, at 7,220 feet above sea level, is often cited as a competitive edge, but Aguirre remains focused on the match itself.

“Historically, English players are quite agile and quick,” Aguirre remarked during his pre-match press briefing on Saturday. “They feature prominent athletes playing both domestically and internationally, lending them considerable physical prowess. They have exceptional talent.”

He reminisced about the evolution of England’s playing style since Gareth Southgate took charge, noting that Thomas Tuchel has added his own touch to their tactics. “In the past, they relied heavily on speed and long passes, creating issues with wide plays and second balls. While they continue to utilize these strategies, they are also capable of shifting gears when necessary,” Aguirre said.

“As for the altitude? I don’t focus on that. It’s just 11 against 11, with a referee present; those external factors aren’t part of my considerations. Our goal is to score against them, and vice versa.”

Just two days prior to the match, there were indications that the kickoff time might be adjusted due to impending thunderstorms, with a potential shift from 6 PM to noon local time. Aguirre expressed his frustration with the possible change on Mexican radio, labeling it a “kick in the gut” and stating he was not pleased at all.

During his press conference, Aguirre clarified his previous remarks, stating, “I was informed about the possible time change and expressed my discontent. Announcing it a day before the match was inconvenient, and that’s all I had to say.”

Another potential distraction arose when YouTuber Stephen Deleonardis sent Rolex watches to the Mexican team after betting on Mexico to win against Ecuador in the previous round. The team has since returned the watches, with the Mexican FA stating, “By mutual agreement, our players decided to return the watches gifted by the content creator.”

When asked if these incidents had affected his team, Aguirre stated, “You know who I am. I keep things practical and authentic, so I handle situations naturally. Both issues were addressed effectively. The players are focused, prepared, and ready for a strong performance tomorrow. Such distractions don’t matter.”

Aguirre’s focus is now on devising a strategy to overcome England and their star player, Harry Kane. He has been analyzing Premier League footage to understand team dynamics regarding throw-ins. “England is a formidable opponent, and we will need to deliver a nearly flawless performance to advance to the quarterfinals,” Aguirre asserted, emphasizing the need to contain Kane, who has already scored five goals in this tournament.

“Harry Kane is a world-class player,” Aguirre acknowledged. “His goal-scoring capability both for England and Bayern Munich sets him apart. He is tall, defensively skilled, and commands the team as captain. Our strategy will be to neutralize him with our defensive midfielders to keep him on the back foot.”