Matías Almeyda defends the Leagues Cup: ‘I see everything positively’

Matías Almeyda sees little to criticize in the Leagues Cup. Ahead of Rayados’ final against Toluca, the Argentine coach dismissed complaints about the tournament and said he felt fortunate to be part of it.

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I have not been someone who has spoken negatively. I have been happy with this cup at all times.

“I have not been someone who has spoken negatively. I have been happy with this cup at all times,” Almeyda said. He described everything played in football as something beautiful because he loves the sport, works in it and once dreamed of reaching this level.

The coach also defended the travel involved in the competition. “The trips seem spectacular to me. If it had not been for football, I would not have traveled by plane,” he said, adding that he had always dreamed of the food and experiences now available to him.

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The trips seem spectacular to me. If it had not been for football, I would not have traveled by plane.

Almeyda said he saw no disadvantages in football, including criticism of the playing fields. “We used to play on dirt, so everything I see is positive,” he said. He was not worried about the condition of the field before the final, although he did raise a security concern because supporters of all four teams would be present at the same stadium.

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We used to play on dirt, so everything I see is positive.

His opponent, Toluca coach Antonio Mohamed, has been one of the tournament’s strongest critics. Mohamed said the third-place match and final effectively created two games at once, with four fan bases sharing the venue. He also criticized the 5 p.m. kickoff in 40-degree heat and the field being worn down before the final.

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Four fan bases together, a third-place match with 40-degree heat at 5 in the afternoon, with the field trampled before the final.