Tato Noriega Apologizes for Accident During Toluca Match
Rayados’ Athletic Director Expresses Confidence After Unexpected Setback
Rayados’ Leadership Responds to Recent Defeat
The Rayados athletic director, José Antonio “Tato” Noriega, has issued an apology following a significant loss to Toluca in the tenth round of the Apertura 2025 tournament. Expressing his confidence that the result was an anomaly, Noriega took responsibility, emphasizing his commitment to the team and its supporters. “This outcome is unacceptable for this institution, and we must take responsibility. As the head of the sports department, I step forward to apologize to our fans who follow, support, and are filled with hope,” he stated.
Focus on Future Matches
Despite the setback, Noriega expressed full support for the team and expects a swift return to winning ways when they face Santos in the upcoming eleventh round. “I hope it was merely an accident, though only time will tell. I trust the caliber of our team; I hope this remains just a bad day. Fortunately, we have been performing well, which allows us to learn from this uncomfortable situation without significant damage. We have internal discussions, analyses, and self-reflection processes in place. Nothing is certain in football, but I believe it was just an accident,” he added.
Analysis and Team Spirit
When asked if the loss to the Diablos Rojos raised doubts within the team, Noriega noted that making guarantees would be unproductive, but time would reveal the truth. “Let’s revisit this in three weeks; for now, I consider it an accident. Such results are not typical for this club or this roster. I cannot guarantee it won’t happen again, as I lack a crystal ball, but I believe it was circumstantial and won’t recur. I have immense faith in our team and staff. I’m optimistic about returning to peak performance soon, hopefully as early as the match against Santos,” he commented.
Injury Update: Sergio Canales
José Antonio Noriega also provided an update on the injury status of Spanish player Sergio Canales, who recently underwent a minor surgery due to a medical device failure. Canales has been ruled out for the upcoming match against Santos. “Sergio was undergoing routine post-match recovery when a device malfunction led to the need for additional intervention by external professionals. Although he’s unavailable for tomorrow’s game, the situation is not severe. His return will depend on his recovery, but he has overcome tougher challenges before. We are confident he will be back in action soon. The issue was caused by an unforeseen medical device failure,” Noriega concluded.
