Santiago Solari hails América 'character' after stalemate with Pumas | OneFootball

Santiago Solari was relatively content with the point América took from their scoreless draw at Pumas on Saturday.

The Azulcrema manager went into the Clásico Capitalino under intense pressure to secure a win, but he took solace in the way his side battled to avoid what been a fifth defeat in their opening seven Clausura games.

“It has been a serious game for both teams, Pumas too,” Solari told reporters.

“It is a classic and today we have been solid and we have competed. It is the only way to try to break through and get out of the situation we are in.

“First is to compete and then be able to win are factors that cannot be alternated.”

The Argentine also credited the Las Águilas camp for the “heart” they have shown after a dreadful start to the season.

“The bad moments in soccer exist, the good ones are easier,” the 45-year-old said.

“The difficult ones are navigating the storms and there you can see the character of everyone, soccer players, coaching staff, and this is a big club that sustains the fans and the attention of the media and you have to have a special character and heart and the players showed that they have it despite not taking the victory, which is what they came for.”

América remain just one place off the bottom of the table, and will no doubt view Wednesday’s home date with Querétaro as a must-win if Solari is to fend off mounting calls for his sacking.