Mexico must stop Wells, says Martino

Stark warning: Gerardo Martino, the Mexico coach, admits he is wary of the goalscoring threat posed by Bermudas free-scoring forward Nahki Wells.



Gerardo Martino, the Mexico coach, admits he is wary of the goalscoring threat posed by Bermudas free-scoring forward Nahki Wells.

Wells has struck four goals in as many games for Bermuda, including a brace in their statement victory away to Panama last month to avenge a 4-1 defeat three days earlier.

He has continued his scoring form with Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship, netting five goals in his last five outings, leaving him in a good space as he prepares to face Mexico.

Nahki Wells is a great player and thats why he plays in the Championship in England, Martino said. He is a very important player for Queens Park Rangers.

Martino, who led Mexico to the Gold Cup title last summer, just six months after winning the Major League Soccer Cup as coach of Atlanta, said he has closely analysed Bermudas displays in their opening two games of the Nations League.

I know all about the quality of the Bermuda team from back to front, the former Barcelona coach added. We know we have to win our two matches against Bermuda and get six points so we can progress to the [semi-finals of the Nations League].

Among the stars in Martinos 25-man squad are Napoli winger Hirving Lozano, Atlético Madrid midfielder Héctor Herrera and Porto forward Jesús Corona.

All three players missed Mexicos Gold Cup campaign: Lozano  who signed for Napoli for $46.5 million from Dutch side PSV in August  through injury, Herrera because of personal reasons while Corona was involved in a dispute with Martino.

Also returning to the fold is Real Betis midfielder Diego Lainez, who was left out of the Gold Cup squad after playing in the Under-20 World Cup.

Fleshing out the travelling party are top players such as Celta Vigo defender Néstor Araujo and LA Galaxy forward Uriel Antuna.

Herrera, who made 164 appearances in Portugal for Porto, believes Mexicos reputation as football superpower will count for little tomorrow and insists they will not take Bermuda lightly.

Our status [as a top nation] is really important, but in modern football that doesnt count, he said. You can live with your history, you can live with your past, but if you dont show it on the field, then it doesnt mean anything.