Mexico boss Javier Aguirre has promised to play with the same positive approach against France.
Aguirre to stick with positive formation
Mexico boss Javier Aguirre has promised to play with the same positive approach against France despite concerns over his team's defence.
El Tri set out with a 4-3-3 formation in the clash with hosts South Africa on the opening day of the World Cup and impressed with their attacking style.
The strategy was described as the 'most daring' of the tournament by South Africa manager Carlos Alberto Parreira but it did not entirely work as the Bafana Bafana earned a 1-1 draw.
South Africa created other chances to score as Mexico's full-backs kept surging forward but Aguirre insists he will not alter his tactics in Polokwane on Thursday.
"It's what has brought us here and we're not going to change," said Aguirre, who came up with the system as a solution to the scoring problems Mexico had during the qualifiers.
"Yes, we do leave a lot of space at the back, but we're going to continue this way."
Marquez
Rafael Marquez has been pushed forward into midfield to give the team a bit more steel and he expects Mexico to be harder to break down against France.
"We knew that the danger would be on their counter-attack, and that's a risk we take in our style of play," Marquez explained.
"And yes, it caused some problems, but we're continuing to work on it so it doesn't happen again."
Despite carving out several opportunities in the draw with South Africa, Mexico struggled to provide the finishing touch just as they did in a series of warm-up games.
"That's why we're training and working hard," said Marquez. "The Netherlands also isn't scoring and it's a big team.
"Germany has done well with four goals, but I'm confident that we're doing our best to fix this problem."
France threat
Marquez also declared himself fit for the crucial Group A game with Les Bleus following a recent calf injury that had made him doubtful for the opener.
"I'm fine now, at 100 per cent," he said. "I've had trouble with the calf, and against South Africa I even was thinking of being taken off.
"But I've been able to recover over the past few days."
France were held to a goalless draw by a more defensive Uruguay in their first match but Marquez is still wary of the threat they will present.
"They are very strong in attack and defence, even though in attack they are not living up to the level that we're accustomed to seeing," Marquez said. "But they have big players that can make the difference at any moment."
