Benfica will visit Mexico City for the first time ever and it will do so to play Club America at Estadio Azteca, one of the few venues in the world that has hosted two World Cup finals. Both teams are not enjoying a pre-season with positive results and have a lot to work on at their participation in the International Champions Cup comes to a close.
Club America just started its 2015 Apertura participation with a big loss to Puebla. The team, now managed by Ignacio Ambriz has not been able to find the consistency they wanted to start the second half of the year. This is their first home game since last season.
America ended their U.S. Tour with only one win against San Jose but lost against Manchester United and L.A. Galaxy, the last one is the current MLS champion and the game was mostly remembered by Steven Gerrard's debut with an MLS side. Coming home to the Azteca in the altitude of Mexico City could probably be a big advantage for the team.
In America, a coach hardly lasts long if results don't match the expectations of the ones in high chairs. The team must find a way to improve. Besides switching managers over the course of the summer, America did not suffer many changes to its roster. Strikers Alejandro Diaz and Darwin Quintero must be at their best tonight.
Many of their best players like Moises Muñoz (GK) and Paul Aguilar (DEF) will hardly be playing in this game after they just came back from their Gold Cup duties on Monday. Hugo Gonzalez, currently the second goalkeeper has one more chance of proving himself to the new manager if he wants more minutes during the regular season.
Benfica is the current champion of the Primeira
No Portuguese side has played at Mexico City in recent years. Benfica will not only have to fight against a team that is used to play at Azteca, but also against condition like altitude, smog and probably thousands of fans in a stadium that can fit up to around 100,000 soccer lovers.
Keeping the game simple with short and accurate passes will be beneficial for Club America. The team must not get desperate and run all over the field. They must limit their physical efforts throughout the game if they want to last at least 90 minutes. The game will be decided in penalty kicks if needed.
There is a lot of quality in this team that has not been really exposed this summer. One of their best players is Julio Cesar, their goalkeeper and constantly called by Brazil for international games. Up front, another talented Brazilian, Jonas, could be the one to decide the match in favor of his team if his accuracy is good tonight.
Benfica was actually the third option for the scheduling of this game. After Barcelona and Porto could not be able to come, it was finally decided before the tournament started that it would be the Primeira Liga champs Benfica, the ones to visit America. This is the first time that the International Champions Cup comes to Mexico.
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