Almada Self-Critical Despite América's Victory: 'We Didn't Play Well'

América secured a 3-0 victory over Santos at the Estadio Banorte, propelling them to the top of the Apertura 2026 league table. Goals from Henry Martín, Brian Rodríguez, and Alejandro Cárdenas sealed the win, giving the team seven points and a superior goal difference to Tijuana.

Despite the favorable outcome, head coach Guillermo Almada remained critical of his team's play. "There was a period when we didn't play well, that's the reality," Almada stated in a post-match press conference. He noted that corrections were made at halftime, leading to a much-improved second half characterized by better defense, intensity, and precision.

Almada acknowledged the difficulty of the match, describing Santos as a team with "very good footballers" that made for a "very tough" opponent. He also reflected on previous matches, suggesting that games against Querétaro and Atlante were not as straightforward as they might have seemed.

The team's immediate focus shifts to the Leagues Cup, a tournament where Almada is committed to pursuing the trophy, emphasizing the club's obligation to contend in all competitions. "América is a team of immense hierarchy and must aim for any tournament it plays in," he said, expressing excitement for the competition and the opportunity to bring joy to the fans.

Looking ahead, Almada also sees the Leagues Cup as a chance to integrate and develop younger players. He affirmed his philosophy of giving opportunities based on merit and performance, stating, "If they are better than experienced players, we will give them minutes. This is not about age, it's about performance." He highlighted that the club's youth have earned their chances through hard work and demonstrated improvement.