Football
Eric Gomez, Mexico writer 5y

Ricardo Ferretti lauds Mexico youngsters: '80 percent of them will be in next World Cup'

After Mexico's 1-0 loss to Chile in Queretaro on Tuesday night, interim Mexico manager Ricardo Ferretti was mostly complimentary of his young group of players.

The Brazilian-born boss believes the home team had more scoring chances than their opponents did, though mistakes up front prevented El Tri from getting on the board.

"We're talking about a new generation of young players and naturally, we have to think they can make mistakes and have ups and downs like any youngster," Ferretti said in the post-match press conference. "I insist [that] 80 percent of the players you saw tonight will be in the next World Cup."

In a match that ended 1-0, Chile grabbed a late winner from Benfica striker Nicolas Castillo, a well-known figure for Mexican fans who watched him light up the league with Pumas UNAM before departing last summer for Portugal.

"I'm calm after this game," said Ferretti. "I think this was a game in which we matched up well and the thought that we had more chances in front of goal."

Ferretti had made it a point to de-emphasize the clamor for revenge from some sectors of media and fans following Chile's 7-0 thrashing of Mexico in the 2016 Copa America Centenario. However, the Tigres UANL coach sent a message early on by trotting out an ultra-offensive lineup, featuring PSV winger Hirving Lozano, Wolverhampton striker Raul Jimenez and Porto forward Jesus Corona up front.

"They competed against a very good team tonight and I'm calm, though not satisfied. I believe this process with these players will be very beneficial if we keep getting games against rivals like Chile and the upcoming two versus Argentina," Ferretti continued.

Facing off against the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, Ferretti praised his young team for rising up to the challenge against established stars. Mexico has lost three of its four games following the World Cup, and the coach has mostly relied on younger players to ease the generational shift for the country's next permanent manager.

Amid the paltry results, Ferretti was adamant about having perspective amid the growing pains.

"I believe things in the future will be good if we keep going with this process, giving them opportunities like these will yield positive things," he said. "But this word I will use is tough for some: patience. See what I mean? We need patience from all to see this through."

Rumors that El Tri's veteran players were in the midst of a rift with the Mexican federation and Ferretti were also addressed by the coach, saying there was no controversy behind his selections. Mexico's captain, Andres Guardado, and its all-time leading goal scorer, Javier Hernandez, were notably left off.

"Who didn't come this time? Guardado? He's injured. Chicharito? He's ill. Who else? You keep forgetting these things. We brought plenty of players from Europe. Diego [Reyes] came. [Nestor] Araujo. [Marco] Fabian. Chucky [Lozano]. Raul [Jimenez]. Next time around, those who didn't come can be called to the national team," said Ferretti. "If they're playing at a good level and are willing to come, of course they'll be here."

Mexico had not lost a friendly to Chile since 2008, when a Juan Carlos Valenzuela own goal produced a final score of 1-0 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mexico's next international matches will see them travel to Argentina to face La Albiceleste in a two-match set this November. Though locales have yet to be determined, it is likely both games will be in the Buenos Aires area, according to reports.

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