Samuel Caballero is recognized as one of the best defenders Honduran football and Olimpia have had, where he led the white defense and they got that historic pass to the 2001 Club World Cup, which ultimately went unplayed.
Ahead of the meeting in León against América de México this Wednesday, the former merengue captain took advantage of his presence in Honduras to analyze with TEN what could happen in this game of the round of 16 of the Concachampions.
Dressed in a black shirt and cap, the former defender was reserved because of the result Olimpia had at home and how difficult it is to visit the Azteca stadium.
“I was watching the first game and Olimpia played a great game, they lost 2-1, but the result is misleading. A rival like America who came up very well here in Tegucigalpa and now we have to take it up in Mexico. “
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While drinking coffee, Samuel added, “It’s not that it’s not possible to get a good result from him, but it looks uphill for Olimpia to reverse a result against America, that plays much better at home and plays a good home tournament. “.
Despite what time he’s in the United States, Samuel Caballero hasn’t lost his footing on Pedro Troglio’s lion, where he believes some young footballers stand out.
“I really got to see the team, it has a good squad and adapts to the local level, and internationally they still miss that field. The truth is that they are young and it is good that they have that experience and for In the future we can have a well-planted group in the field. Olimpia plans for the future and has interesting players from small U-23 teams and this experience will serve them well. Olimpia should better merge a team in Mexico, otherwise it can win. “
From “Sammy’s” point of view, the merengue team needs to leave the pressure behind and think more about creating a strategic match to try and hit an Aztecazo.
“He has to play quietly, without pressure. America came to plant well here, with ease and Olimpia when he scored he elevated himself better. I think he should play like those last minutes when he pushed for the rhythm of the Mexican teams and. have caution in the defense zone and with fast players “.
After several experiences in the Colossus of Santa Úrsula, Caballero makes it clear that it is not the stage itself that marks the pressure on the rivals, but the greatness of the rival.
“It’s the hometown, it’s not the stadium. I think America is with great footballers, where there are five Mexican players, the rest are from other countries and have a lot of weight, but in these Concachampions cases these teams are aiming really hard. We faced these Mexican teams and it was not easy. “
From his experiences in the Azteca stadium: “It was very good and sad memories. I remember we had the chance to win for the draw between Japan and Korea, we finished a good first half and unfortunately we lost with the changes.”
He also believes that Olimpia has a good breeding ground of talent: “You see players with a great future, this generation is different and hopefully they can follow the line of those footballers we have left and that they can lead the team for nothing. only to win. local titles, but also people expect a lot at these international tournaments. “
ORGANIZE GAMES OF LEGENDS TO HELP THE DAMNED
Samuel Caballero’s presence in the country is no coincidence, as the former captain of the meringues comes with a social work, where he comes to lend a helping hand to certain parts of the country.
“We are going to run charity games for people affected by hurricanes Eta and Ota. I brought a children’s shoe aid from the club where I work in the United States.”
And he adds, “This weekend we will do it in Guaimaca, Talanga and the other week in Choluteca with my fellow legends who played in 2002 who bring joy to the people who have suffered.”
After this tour of certain parts of the country, Samuel Caballero and the legends of Honduras are waiting for a great tour of the United States.
“We’re going to the United States to raise money and help our country. We have an old-fashioned chat that really invites us against other Mexican veteran teams and right now we’ll be playing a series of games with the Guatemala team. play on Friday. May 7 in Atlanta, the 8th in Nasville, and the following weekend, on the 14th and 15th, we’ll be in San Francisco, California. “