Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio has had enough of the negative talk surrounding his rotation policy, and instead referred to his changes of playing personnel from game to game as "alternative tactics" on Thursday.
"We have always considered alternative tactics and not that word [rotations], which seems to have a negative connotation, for the same reasons: to generate internal competition," said Osorio in a news conference on Thursday.
Osorio was talking on the eve of Mexico's World Cup qualifier against Panama in Estadio Azteca and stressed that his policy of spreading minutes throughout his squad has enabled players like Hirving Lozano, Nestor Araujo and Jurgen Damm to establish themselves at international level and "deserve moves to Europe."
Mexico would qualify for Russia 2018 with a victory over Los Canaleros if Honduras fail to defeat Trinidad and Tobago, also on Friday, although it is virtually guaranteed that El Tri would be through regardless if it picks up three points at home.
"The boys have always given everything on the field to represent Mexico," said Osorio. "It's a great time and opportunity to show that in this region [Mexico] is the strongest team, a nation of footballing excellence."
Osorio will have to do without injured center-backs Jair Pereira and Hector Moreno, who both trained separately in the final session on Thursday and are set to practice with the under-21 team on Friday, rather than be risked for Mexico's qualifier.
El Tri supporters are being urged not to do the problematic goalkeeper chant that has brought multiple fines and warnings from FIFA, which deems it anti-gay. Instead the Mexican federation released a statement indicating it would allocate the amount it would've been fined into Mexican schools if fans chant "Mexico" at each opposition goal kick.
Ticket sales for Friday's game are expected to be low. Mexico fans were not pleased by the team's poor summer at the Confederations Cup and Gold Cup and heavy rain all week in Mexico City is another factor likely to keep them away.
Panama comes into the game in fourth place in CONCACAF's Hexagonal table, looking for an upset and to capitalize on dropped points in the clash between the United States and Costa Rica, also set for Friday.