2025-10-29
Everything is ready! Olympiad This Thursday you have the great opportunity to qualify for a new final of a tournament of Concacaf, when you receive in the return to the Alajuelense Sports League for the return of the semifinals of the Central American Cup.
Eduardo Espinel, DT of Olympiadreferred to this tough commitment with which he will not be able to count on footballers of the caliber of Yustin Arboleda, Jorge Álvarez and Edwin Rodríguez.
The Uruguayan stated that it is a complicated commitment against a great rival, he did not give color due to the changes he will make for this duel and responded to the physical condition of Jamir Maldonado, a key piece in the hairy scheme. Do you feel like favorites against the manodos? The crash is at 8:06 PM.
PRESS CONFERENCE
What can change in this second leg compared to what your team was able to do in Alajuela, where they even almost won?
Regarding what one can think of happening in tomorrow’s game, I think it could be similar. I have already said it: they are two teams that do not speculate, and even more so at this distance, where every detail and every action on the field will be decisive. It will be an intense match, where surely, at least we, and I think also the opposing team, will seek to attack the rival goal to stay calm and away from ours. I am convinced that it will be a two-way game.
We have to be prepared to sustain a different rhythm, because the intensity at the international level is not the same as at the local level, both for the Costa Rican championship and for us. We play at another level in international tournaments, and we have to be ready for that. The players know it, we know it, and I hope we don’t make a mistake in the approach we think for the game.
Profe, there has been a lot of talk about the casualties, for example, Jorge Álvarez and Arboleda. How have you been putting together the team and how difficult has it been to replace those starting players?
That day when the first leg ended, there were already questions about the absences. Since I arrived in Honduras we have always tried, as a coaching staff, to have a team above individuals. It doesn’t worry me so much, because I have always been a coach who prioritizes what is there. The players who are not there are not there, and we have to focus on those who are there and are going to do the job.
We have a group that works waiting for their opportunity, and when a player cannot be there, there are others who perform at the same level. We have a lot of confidence in the entire squad, and they have shown, both in the local and international championship, that they are up to the task. We hope they are in this very important match, to hide these absences and even raise the level. Our main concern has been to keep the entire group motivated and continue doing the things we have been doing: working for the team.
Teacher, are you clear about the starting eleven? We saw that Jamir trained with a special bandage. Are you worried about that?
Yes, I’ve had the team for days, I already had it in my head. Of course, you have to work and observe day to day, but a coach always goes ahead and thinks about the best players that can be there. I may change one or two pieces, but generally the team I had in mind is the one I will put on the field tomorrow. Jamir is among those summoned. The bandage today is common; There are special bandages that help relieve pain and improve performance. He will be among the 23 to help the team achieve the goal.
How do you imagine tomorrow night for you and for the Olympics with a completely packed stadium?
Well, let’s see, the expectation is very great due to the comments there are, the ticket offices have been sold out for days and the tickets have been sold, but every game the Olimpia fan never ceases to surprise me. I have already said it many times: regardless of whether or not the stands are filled, from minute zero they start singing until minute ninety, regardless of the result. That motivates us to work and make an effort every day for all those fans who make so much effort, and I know they have done so for this game, because they have made a tremendous effort to buy their ticket. They will surely be the twelfth player who helps us achieve the objective, which is to win the game.
Profe, coach Óscar Ramírez mentioned that Olimpia is a favorite for this match. What do you think about it, considering that you are at home?
I respect the opinions of colleagues, I have always said that. I don’t know if we are favorites, but we do have the obligation to win the game. The players know that, the coaching staff knows it, and we are going to go out and win, there is no doubt. Regardless of whether we are favorites or not, history marks it: we are at home, and if there is a characteristic of this team it is that when we speculate we suffer. We cannot speculate; We have to go to the front, we have to go to win. That’s the mentality this group has. On the other side we will find a team with its strategy, and in that fight we hope to prevail. We have the obligation to win the game.
Teacher, at what moment do you feel your team arrives for this semifinal? Is it at the point you want?
I think we are at a very good level. Within the dynamics of matches, the physical and emotional exhaustion, the trips and everything that it implies, the group is in a very positive moment. There is a very good collective energy, both from those who play and those who don’t. I have always said that beyond the starting eleven, the most important thing is the team. And in the last few games we have had good performance from many players who had not had so many minutes in the local or international tournament, which strengthens the group.
This generates internal competition, does not let those who have played the most rest and pushes everyone to raise the level. We are calm because I think we are in an ideal moment to face this type of match. We have to prove it on the field, but I trust that these guys will give everything to confirm what we think of them.
