Rafa Márquez reveals his dream: for Mexico to play like Barcelona
Por Carlos Rodríguez ·
Rafael Márquez, Mexico’s new national team coach, said Friday that he would like to instill in El Tri a style similar to the one he played under at Barcelona, but he clarified that he doesn’t have the necessary talent.
“I adapt to what I have; it’s not like I’m going to impose a particular style of play. Of course I’d like to play like Barcelona, but I don’t have the raw talent for that, so you have to adapt to what you have and build on what was actually working in the last World Cup,” he said.
Empowering young people and evolving at a steady pace
Márquez will make his debut in the role this Saturday in a friendly match against the Colombian national team at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
Rafa Márquez succeeded Javier Aguirre, for whom he served as an assistant coach during the last World Cup.
“Our style will be the same as what we saw at the World Cup, and we’ll gradually build on it, because change doesn’t happen overnight.”
“I’m not going to impose my style; we’ll try to improve over time,” he added.
Márquez won several titles with Barça.
“Defensively, we did a great job at the World Cup, but we need to improve our build-up play, empower our players, and adjust our lines.”
“From my experience with Barcelona B, I learned that helping young players allows you to bring out the best in them.”
“I believe in empowering players for the benefit of the team,” he explained (Filed under: Rafa Márquez Reveals His Plan for Mexico).
Colombia is changing, but it remains a threat
Rafael Márquez praised the creative Colombian player James Rodríguez, who has ended his time with the Colombian national team.
“To talk about James is to talk about an idol, a No. 10 like you rarely see. All that’s left is to congratulate him and say how great it is that he retired now because we no longer have to face him,” he said.
He also referred to the new process in Colombia, which involves the participation of many young people.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been able to beat Colombia. They’re strong players, yes, with some new faces, but they’re sure to be a bold, direct team.”
“They’re fast up front, so we have to be careful because it won’t be easy at all,” he concluded.
After facing Colombia, Mexico will continue its friendly tour of the United States during this FIFA window next Tuesday.
That’s when it will face Peru at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
On October 3, they will face the United States at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
And on the 6th, they will take on Chile at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Filed as: Rafa Márquez Reveals His Plan for Mexico).
With information from EFE
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