'Not winning last season hit us hard' - Alan Cervantes admits it was a difficult summer for Club América after a failing to earn a title

High expectations made Club América’s fall even harder to take last season - failing to secure a historic four-peat, crashing out of the Champions Cup, and missing qualification for the Club World Cup.

Alan Cervantes admitted the offseason was emotionally draining for the squad after finishing the first half of the year empty-handed.

“Personally, and I think I speak for several of my teammates, we spent the vacation thinking about what we could’ve accomplished,” Cervantes said Tuesday. “It wasn’t easy. Even though the team was mentally and physically drained, we lost matches because of small details - set pieces, for example. There wasn’t a single team that truly outplayed us.

"You realize the quality of the squad. The break was tough, but with each training session and our goals in mind, it becomes extra motivation to get back on track.”

América opened their Apertura 2025 campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against FC Juárez. Despite the slow start, Cervantes is confident the team will regain its form.

“Statistically, things may look bad, but without downplaying the situation, it’s not easy to achieve what this club has done," he said. "Ups and downs are part of life. You realize you need to evolve and avoid becoming predictable. Not winning last season hit us hard emotionally, but the team is united, with the right mindset and desire to work.”

Cervantes addressed transfer rumors surrounding teammate Brian Rodríguez, who has been linked with Inter Miami and Qatari side Al Rayyan.

“We can’t dwell on whether he’s staying or going - it’s unpredictable, everyone makes personal decisions," he said. "We have to act as if he’s staying. He’s an excellent player. If he leaves, we’ll wish him all the best and hope it works out for him."

Las Águilas will host Xolos de Tijuana Wednesday in Matchday 2 of the Apertura 2025. Then on Sunday, they’ll face Toluca in Los Angeles for the Campeón de Campeones - a title clash that also presents a chance for some revenge.