Mexico City — Following a painful exit from the Concacaf Champions Cup at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Pumas UNAM head coach Efraín Juárez addressed the media, sharing his emotional but resilient take on the loss.
“We didn’t lose badly. It hurts more this way,” Juárez said after the match at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. “I still believe in this team. It hurts, but no one died. The sun will rise again and we’ll prepare for our next match at home.”
Despite being knocked out, Juárez refused to label the loss as a failure, insisting his squad showed heart and determination on the field.
“I’m not afraid of the word ‘failure’, but I don’t think this was one. The team fought, they tried. If someone wants to call it a failure, that’s on them — I don’t see it that way.”
Pumas now shift their focus to Liga MX, with a critical match coming up in just a few days. Juárez emphasized that the players and coaching staff are the most affected by the result, but also the most determined to bounce back.
“We’re the ones who suffer the most — the players, the staff, myself. I probably won’t sleep tonight, but tomorrow I’ll wake up ready to keep fighting.”
Despite the disappointment, Juárez praised the team’s overall improvement and unity in recent matches. “We’ve shown a different face. The games have been close. We’re just missing that final spark.”
As Pumas regroup, the message from their manager is clear: this is not the end, but a stepping stone on the journey ahead.
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