Photo Credit: Club America
By: Jonny Rico
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Club America is set to make its debut in the new 2017 Clausura season of Liga MX in just a few short days. Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin feels ready for the responsibility of being the team’s starting goalkeeper and can’t wait for the action to start.
Marchesin was signed from Club Santos Laguna prior to the start of this new season. Club America made the decision of letting former goalkeeper Moises Muñoz leave and loaned him out to Chiapas FC in order to make room for the Argentine shot-stopper.
“It is a big step in my career to be here” said Marchesin during an interview with Univision Deportes Network, “this is a big team in Mexico and recognized all over the world. I hope to be up to the task, I know I’m getting here replacing a great goalkeeper like Moises (Muñoz).”
The transfer was met with heavy criticism by the Club America fans. The first part was the timing of the official announcement. Santos made the transfer public while America still competed in the 2016 Apertua playoffs, just days before the semifinal second leg match against Club Necaxa. The goalkeeper Muñoz had to deal with the Marchesin transfer distraction during the remainder of the playoffs, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Liga MX Final.
The second part that angered fans was the fact that America would be replacing Muñoz. The Mexican goalkeeper has won the hearts of the America faithful after his heroic performance which led the team to conquer the 2013 Apertura league title. Muñoz scored a diving header in the second leg of the Final against Cruz Azul in stoppage time to force over-time and then penalties. He then blocked two of the penalties in the shootout which allowed America to be crowned champions for the 11th time in club history.
Muñoz went on to win another league title, the 12th, which officially made America the most successful club in Mexican league history. He also won two consecutive CONCACAF Champions League titles which officially made Club America the most successful team in CONCACAF history.
In the eyes of Americanisitas, there was no need to replace such as good goalkeeper like Moises Muñoz.
The third and final point for which America fans were no pleased with the Marchesin signing was the fact that the Argentine goalkeeper had been rumored to sign for America in the past to which he stated “I would never play for a team like America.”
During his interview with Univision Deportes Network the 28-year old decided to speak about the incident head on.
“I think it is important for people to remember the surrounding circumstances when I said that,” said Marchesin. “It had been following the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal match which we (Santos) lost to America thanks to a huge mistake in my part, probably the biggest mistake of my career.
“I was upset at myself for having committed such a mistake when I said those words. Today I am very happy to be here and like I said this is a huge step in my career to be in such a big team.”
Regarding the timing of the announcement of his transfer, Marchesin did admit that it was a bit uncomfortable to be announced as the team’s new goalkeeper when America and Muñoz still had games to be played. But that those wierd things that Mexican soccer has are out of his control.
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