Mexico's Miguel Herrera is adamant that El Tri can make the final of the Copa America in Chile, despite most of his team's Europe-based players being held back for CONCACAF's Gold Cup in July.
"This group is put together to reach the final," said Herrera in a press conference on Wednesday, dismissing the idea that Mexico's Copa America squad is a "B" team. "We'll give a few teams a scare and we'll be a different team than we were in the last edition."
In the 2011 Copa America, Mexico went out at the group stage without even earning a point, having sent a under-22 team, but this time around there are a few experienced faces in the likes of defender Rafa Marquez and goalkeeper Jesus Corona.
Nevertheless, star names Carlos Vela, Hector Herrera and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, amongst others, will all be missing at the South American tournament, which Mexico kicks off against Bolivia on June 12.
Herrera added that teams such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay are strong outfits, but believes that Mexico "will give something [for people] to talk about."
"El Piojo" added that Rayo Vallecano winger Javier Aquino isn't coming into the tournament in as bad form as has been portrayed in Mexico, but admitted striker Raul Jimenez has found playing time difficult to come across at Atletico Madrid.
"Raul has struggled," said Herrera. "He's young, but he's grown a lot and he finished [the season] really well. [Diego] Simeone told us that most likely he'll continue at Atletico Madrid."
Mexico's first preparation game is against Guatemala on May 30 in Chiapas, followed by matches against Peru (in Lima on June 3) and Brazil (in Sao Paulo on June 7).