The Argentinian Andres Lillinicoach of the Pumas UNAMpraised this Wednesday the humility of the Brazilian Daniel Alvesformer FC Barcelona player, who asked for equal treatment in his foray into Mexican soccer.
“He does not exert pressure; the first thing he told me is that he wanted equal treatment, no privileges. It is something that we are taking advantage of,” said the coach after Pumas drew 1-1 with Mazatlan with a goal from Argentine Nicolás Freireto a pass precisely from Alves.
In a press conference, Lillini confessed that Alves is a good conversationalist and trusted that, although he lasted well for 90 minutes on the pitch, he would increase his adaptation to the altitude of Mexico City (2,240 meters above sea level) and perform increasingly.
“Surely he felt the last 15 minutes, but he did well. When we risked, he stopped holding back and did very well. Adaptation games will come; he has a privileged physique and I don’t think it will cost him much,” he said.
Dani Alves became the star of the fifth day of the Apertura; in his debut in the league he was cheered by more than 30,000 fans of the university team, happy with the delivery of the player.
“His dynamic is that of someone who has stood in locker rooms with hierarchy; what he has is hierarchy. He is contagious, has a long way to go and takes care of details; he anticipates many things tactically, his experience has a different reading,” he observed.
A member of the Brazilian teams in the World Cups in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, and the Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020, Alves is one of the most prominent players in Mexican soccer so far this century and in his first minutes in the field made a good impression for its dedication and good football.
“He must have fought 3,000 battles, each one left him something and that is now at the service of our team. We must be smart to take advantage of it,” he said.
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