Jardine Considers Unexpected Defensive Shift for โฃAmรฉrica’s Liguilla Opener
Amรฉrica enters the Liguilla facing notableโ pressure, โฃmatched up against a strong Monterrey side. Coach Andrรฉ Jardine is seeking aโข reliable lineup for the quarterfinals, but is โreportedly considering โa surprising change in central defense.
The key decision revolves around who will partner Sebastiรกn Cรกceres in โฃthe heart of the backline.โค While Ramรณn Juรกrez enjoyed a โขstandout โregularโ season, establishing himself as a โขconsistent and dominant starter, sources indicate Jardine is leaning towards veteran Igor Lichnovsky.
This potential move is unexpected given the contrasting โform of theโ two players. Juรกrez โhad “one of his best tournaments,” proving โ”reliable, regular and dominant.” โConversely, Lichnovsky โคsaw limited playing time and “never โคrecovered his best version,” failing to challengeโฃ juรกrez for the starting role.
Despite Lichnovsky’s lack of โrecent form, Jardine apparently values โtheโข Chilean’s experience in high-stakes matches.โค if confirmed, Amรฉrica will field a moreโฃ experienced defensiveโฃ pairing, though questions remain about whether that experience can offset aโข potential lack of match sharpness.
The choice has already sparked debate among Amรฉrica supporters, with the Liguilla ultimately โdeterminingโข whether Jardine’s gamble pays off. The first legโ against Monterrey will be a crucial test of this potentially risky decision.
