Football
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Mexico coach Miguel Herrera happy with Chicharito, Raul Jimenez in Spain

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera heaped praise on Real Madrid's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Atletico's Raul Jimenez ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg, despite the Mexican strikers not getting a desired amount of playing time at their respective clubs.

"I honestly believe they have adapted well," Herrera said in Madrid. "When they get on, they do well, but the strikers there are in each team are very good [and] are working."

Herrera is in Spain as part of his tour of Europe to meet with Mexican players and their clubs to discuss plans for the summer, when El Tri will be involved at both CONMEBOL's Copa America in Chile and CONCACAF's Gold Cup in the United States.

The Copa America squad is set to be announced on May 11, with no more international games before then for Herrera to try out players and the manager on record saying he wants to send competitive squads to both tournaments.

According to reports out of Spain, 26-year-old Hernandez has a strong chance of starting for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday because of injuries to Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, something that would please Herrera.

"I'd like them to be on the field," he said. "We'll leave the coaches to make their decisions... but the very fact that we have two Mexicans representing us in such a good and traditional game is very pleasing."

In reference to 23-year-old Jimenez, Herrera stated he is happy with the striker's "growth" since he joined Atleti last summer, adding that he needs to be patient and take advantage of this "learning period."

Both Mexicans have struggled for minutes this season, with Hernandez only having started two La Liga games and Jimenez four. Both will be hoping their fortunes improve on Wednesday in the Santiago Bernabeu, with the score 0-0 from the first leg.

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