Club America kicked off the 2022 Liga MX Apertura with a 0-0 draw against reigning champions Atlas FC at the Estadio Azteca, as goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa once again played the hero for the Mexico City side.
Though the hosts held the edge for the majority of the match, managing 16 overall shots and three on target, a second-half strike by Julián Quiñones forced Ochoa to make a dramatic dive to keep the clean sheet.
As both sides walked away with one point, Ochoa admitted it wasn’t the result the team hoped for.
“The intention was always to start with three points, to start winning, it was not easy because the Atlas system leaves few spaces, it plays the long ball, makes mistakes, gives space for Quiñones to do something, it was difficult for us to find spaces, they were closed and we did not we took advantage of a clear one but it is part of progressing, of leaving the preseason and with the new additions letting go,” the team captain told TUDN.
“Today Furch was not there, Quiñones is very skilled, you have to be there, Cáceres and Emilio controlled him well, but the talented have options, but fortunately I was there, they get a point, it’s not ideal, but it’s the beginning.”
As one of the league’s giants, the stakes are always high. But with the Liga MX season just getting started, Ochoa insists the team will continuously work towards improvement.
“The commitment is the same as always in America, what you have to offer to the fans. They know the demand and that’s the beauty of being in a club like America that is required of us week after week and to get the best out of us.”
The team is returning to action after concluding the 2022 Liga MX Clausura in fourth place, and reaching the Liguilla semifinals before ultimately losing to Pachuca 4-1 on aggregate.
They face Rayados de Monterrey next, visiting Estadio BBVA Bancomer on Saturday, June 9.
