Piojo Herrera criticizes Mexico's upcoming friendly against Paraguay

Former Mexico manager Miguel ‘Piojo’ Herrera slammed El Tri’s friendly against Paraguay on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, claiming “these are the games that don't work.”

The match does not fall on a FIFA-sanctioned date, forcing current manager Gerardo Martino to depend on an all-Liga MX squad. The majority of the roster is not expected to make the final World Cup squad, calling into question the purpose of the game. 

"It's something where we shouldn't create expectations just for the sake of it in these games," Herrera said during a news conference.

 "For me these are the games that don't work, because 80 percent of those who are in the call-up are not going to be in the World Cup. The rival is very good, but it's not a game that is going to prepare the national team for the World Cup.”

The midweek game also puts a strain on players of the Mexican league, as they are expected to return to their individual clubs in time to feature for the weekend matches. The winter World Cup has already forced Liga MX into a tighter schedule, seeing players compete every three days. 

The lack of recovery periods could induce injuries, and cause a potential problem for Mexico in Qatar.  

But despite Piojo’s opinion over the problematic friendly, he praised Tigres figures Sebastian Cordova and Jesus Angulo for being included in the roster, and questioned the absence of Diego Reyes. 

“It seems to me that they are good, they are constant. I think that the one who has not been given justice at the moment, because of what the last tournament has been and what he has played in this tournament, is Diego Reyes,”  he declared. “I think he is doing well. Reyes was already in the national team, he already had World Cups.”

Mexico will travel to Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday before competing against Paraguay on Wednesday. The team will also host two more friendlies in September, during the designated FIFA date, against Peru and Colombia in California.