Jardine's options to face Real Estelí

After the incorporation of the Dutch Javairo Dilrosun and the departure of the Argentine Leo Suárez, América formed the final squad to face Liga MX and the First Round of the Concacaf Champions Cup 2024.

For the duel agreed for today before the Real Estelí of Nicaragua as a visitor, the Brazilian coach André Jardine It has a varied arsenal of options at its disposal to present a luxury team that can send a message about the power of the current Mexican soccer champion.

Given the definitive step that Luis Ángel Malagón has taken in the azulcrema goal, it seems difficult for Jardine to bet, at least for his debut, on exploring the possibility of testing the substitute Óscar Jiménez, whose performances as a starter before the departure of Guillermo Ochoa were well below expectations.

Regarding the lower zone, Kevin Álvarez's pubalgia has left the door open for Emilio Lara to see minutes as a right back and even Israel Reyes, nominal center back, is an option in that same position.

The Chilean Igor Lichnovsky seems immovable as a center back on the right, so doubts would surround his partner on the left, where Ramón Juárez and Sebastián Cáceres can occupy that role. At left-back, Jardine has Cristian Calderón, who seems to have earned the position hard, Luis Fuentes and Salvador Reyes.

From midfield forward

In the 4-2-3-1 that Jardine usually presents, it has been evident that Jonathan Dos Santos has not only established himself as starting contention in America, but as one of the best midfielders in the league. Next to him is usually Álvaro Fidalgo, who is a player with other types of characteristics with the ball in offensive terms. The third in hierarchy in Richard Sánchez, a player who, due to his route and hitting, can occupy the two available roles in the center of the field.

The arrival of Jaivo Dilrosun, who is currently waiting for his work visa, has brought about an interesting debate regarding the line of midfielders and wingers in the team, since the Dutchman can play in all three lanes. Although in principle he should compete directly with Alejandro Zendejas for a position on the right wing. With Julián Quiñones reloaded on the left, Brian and Jonathan Rodríguez are second options to occupy that area of ​​the field.

In the hitch and forward position, Diego Valdés and Henry Martín are undisputed starters, although given the confirmed absence of Martín for today's match we could see Illian Hernández as a striker or Quiñones himself adopting that role.