For Manuel Lapuente, Club America technical director, aggressiveness and luck were both factors in his team’s 3 – 1 comeback win over Cruz Azul, which help the 2005 Clausura champions in their bid to make the playoffs.

“We’re waking up, our attitude, actions, and triumphs have been what’s helped us,” said Lapuente. “The form, the self confidence, the dedication the boys have shown, that’s what got us the victory.”

Lapuente, who coached Mexico in France ’98, came to Club America in the Torneo Invierno 2001 and guided the Eagles to their first championship in 13 years, beating Necaxa in the Verano ’02 final.

Even without three starters picked by the Mexican national team for its World Cup ’06 roster, Lapuente said the win gives him tranquility because of the disposition of his team.

“The attitude’s always been there, the result has not always been favorable, but today it was. We hope to keep the same confidence on a consistent basis, which is what we’ve needed. We’ve had some good wins, a loss, a win and a loss. So we hope to build consistency going into the playoffs.”

Lapuente highlighted his team’s resolve in overcoming the halftime deficit. “The desire and determination to win were always there, and the team never gave up,” he said.

Cuestionado sobre si la actuación que brindó el delantero Aarón Padilla, quien inició el regreso americanista al marcar dos tantos, le merece la titularidad, Lapuente comentó que en su escuadra todos los jugadores son titulares porque es un equipo.

Asked whether Aaron Padilla’s performance, scoring two goals in the second half rally, was deserving of a starting spot, he answered: “We’ll see.” Then he added, “Here we don’t have 11 starters and I’ve always stressed this. “Everyone has come in as a starter and have played the games. We’re a team.”

Lapuente concluded by shrugging off the fact that his team beat Cruz Azul for the sixth straight time. “Truth is I never thought about that,” said Lapuente of the winning streak over local archrivals. “Cruz Azul is a great institution, a great team and we got the win, that’s all.”

For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365