The former Tri head coach spoke about the difference in level between both national teams and their completely different perspectives
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After the confirmation of the October friendly, Miguel "Piojo" Herrera, current coach of the Costa Rica National Team, rekindled the debate about the historic soccer rivalry between Mexico and Argentina.
In an interview with journalist Rodrigo Rea, the coach was blunt: "They don't even look at us; that's the reality, I'm not going to fool anyone either. The rivalry is between Mexico and Argentina, we have to be honest. It grew because we want to beat them, because they're a world powerhouse".
Herrera explained that, while in Mexico people intensely experience the idea of facing Albiceleste as equals, on the Argentine side the priorities are different: "Argentina is looking to beat Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain…".
Para el Piojo, Argentina se centra en ganarle a los grandes
For the former Tri coach, the Mexican desire to defeat Albiceleste contrasts with the Argentine perspective, which is focused on national teams with more titles and squads of greater stature.
Herrera also spoke about one of Mexico's great unfinished businesses: reaching the famous "fifth match" in a World Cup. The last time they achieved it was in 1986, when as hosts they reached the quarterfinals and lost on penalties to Germany.
Since then, they have never reached the semifinals. "We're one step below: we haven't even been able to reach a World Cup semifinal", he admitted.
Para el Piojo, Argentina está un escalón arriba
The statistics support his analysis. In 30 official and friendly matches, Argentina won 15 times, lost only 4, and drew 11 times. In the 21st century, Mexico has only won once: 1-0 in the group stage of the 2004 Copa América. Since then, Albiceleste has been Tri's executioner in the 2005 Confederations Cup, the 2006, 2010, and 2022 World Cups, and the 2007 Copa América.
Piojo's numbers with Mexico
Although Herrera never managed a match against Argentina, his time in charge of Mexico left a mark. He took over in November 2013 and qualified the team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after defeating New Zealand in the play-off. In that World Cup, he reached the round of 16, where he was eliminated in a controversial match against the Netherlands.
El Piojo dirigió a México en el Mundial 2014
Later, in 2015 he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup by defeating Jamaica 3-1 in the final. In total, he managed 36 matches: he won 18, drew 11, and lost 7.
