Preview: América vs. Deportivo Pereira at La Puerta del Llano

This Sunday, September 15, América will face Deportivo Pereira in matchday 10 of the Betplay League 2024-II.

The scarlet team will seek to continue on the path of victory after already adding six points in the two matches played in Villavicencio against Jaguares and Deportes Tolima, respectively.

Regarding this match, our technical director Jorge Da Silva and players Franco Leys and Joel Graterol spoke to the press at the hotel in Villavicencio about the game:

“We will approach this match like any other in the tournament, knowing that there are no easy opponents. Colombian football is very tough, very competitive. We're facing a team that plays very well, has good players, and is coming off an important victory, so they will be highly motivated, especially knowing they are facing a top team with two consecutive wins in Villavicencio. Whoever capitalizes on their strengths and exploits the opponent's mistakes will surely be the winner,” said the Uruguayan coach.

Midfielder Franco Leys also spoke before this match: “Yesterday we all watched Pereira's game; we know what style of play they have. We know that from the attacking third forward they have a lot of quality with Darwin and Yesus, very decisive players, and we have to focus on that. We have our own strengths and we trust in what we know. We often work based on the opponent, but we're more concerned with our own game; we trust in what we have as a team.”

Similarly, Joel Graterol spoke to the media after rejoining the squad following his time with the Venezuelan National Team in the South American Qualifiers:

“ Jorge Soto has done a great job. We're all focused, we're all ready to play, we all have our roles on the team, and now it's up to the coach to decide. I'll always be available, but the coach makes the decision. We have to keep going in the same direction, keeping the team very competitive for what's to come.”

The match against Deportivo Pereira, which was initially scheduled for 4:00 pm, will be played at 6:30 pm due to the Colombian Women's National Team's game in the Under-20 World Cup.

Watch the full press conference here: