Santos Confident Of CCL Comeback

Santos watched Cruz Azul score two goals in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League series but the team is not about to let la Maquina stroll into the semifinal round.

“Of course we can do it. It’s only a difference of two goals,” Santos’ Javier “Guti” Estrada told reporters. “We have a great team and we might not be playing great now but we can leave that aside, that’s all in the past.”

Santos will play host to Cruz Azul in Tuesday’s second and decisive leg. The club is coming off a 1-0 loss to Necaxa but are hoping to get back to their winning ways soon.

“All of my teammates and the coaching staff are convinced that we will do things the right way and we’re preparing for that,” Estrada said. “We need to keep our heads up and know that whatever happened cannot affect us any more.”

Santos recently went through a managerial change as Diego Cocca replaced Ruben Omar Romano, who was sacked on Feb. 21.

“We’re getting to know each other better and we’re understanding more of what’s wanted,” Estrada said. “But above anything else is the attitude of the players. We’re a bit fatigued, stressed after everything that’s happened but we’re going to leave that behind and dedicate ourselves to playing the game.”