KAZAN, Russia -- The Mexico national team arrived in Kazan on Tuesday night ahead of its Confederations Cup opener against Portugal on Sunday, with coach Juan Carlos Osorio seeing the tournament as an opportunity for El Tri.
"We are very happy to be here, very excited, with the plan of ratifying the Mexican game's very good moment," Osorio said at the airport. "It is a great opportunity to compete against a number of the best national teams and best players."
Mexico had spent Monday evening in Amsterdam to break up the long trip from Mexico City -- where the squad left right after Sunday's 1-1 draw with the United States -- to Russia.
While there, news broke Tuesday that El Tri center-back Hector Moreno had signed for Roma and fellow defender Carlos Salcedo would be going on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I think it is very deserved," Osorio said of the Moreno move to Italy. "We know about the lack of center-backs in international football and for Hector to be considered to be one of the defenders in one of the most important clubs in Italy says a lot about him."
Osorio was equally pleased with Salcedo moving to Germany, with the player having spent last season on loan at Fiorentina from parent club Chivas.
"It is well deserved as well," Osorio said, adding that Salcedo can compete for a place as a center-back or full-back. "The same as for Hector, it is something special."
The Mexico national team is set to train in Kazan in the afternoon local time, with Portugal set to arrive in the city in the evening.