Jardine's bold gamble: América benches Martín for Clásico Capitalino decider
Club América prepares for the second leg of the Clásico Capitalino quarterfinal against Pumas with key changes to the lineup. Coach André Jardine has opted to bench top scorer Henry Martín, despite his recent impact as a substitute. Several defensive adjustments have also been confirmed ahead of the decisive match.
In the first leg, Martín came off the bench and made an immediate difference. He scored América’s second goal within 15 minutes of play, including a crucial penalty equaliser. Despite this, Jardine has chosen Patricio Salas to lead the attack from the start in the return fixture.
Martín has publicly stated he is fully fit and ready for a full 90 minutes. However, Jardine remains firm on his decision, sticking with Salas as the starting centre-forward. Meanwhile, Brian Rodríguez returns to the starting XI after missing the previous match. Defensive reshuffles are also in place for América. Sebastián Cáceres and Cristian Borja are both ruled out entirely, with Ramón Juárez and Néstor Araujo stepping into their positions. The changes aim to strengthen the backline ahead of a high-stakes encounter.
The second leg will test Jardine’s tactical choices, particularly the exclusion of Martín from the starting lineup. With defensive adjustments and Rodríguez’s return, América looks to secure progression in the quarterfinal. The outcome will hinge on whether the selected players can replicate the impact of those left on the bench.
