América boss praises contribution of the emerging Santiago Solari | OneFootball

América manager Santiago Solari had special words of praise for youngster Santiago Naveda after the narrow 2-1 win over 10-man Querétaro on Saturday.

The defensive midfielder opened the scoring (his first goal at first-team level) in a game that needed a late winner from Henry Martín to secure all three points for the Azulcrema at the Estadio Azteca.

That was despite the visitors losing central defender José Doldán to a red card in the 12th minute after a cynical challenge on Martín.

“Naveda made his debut at the beginning of this year and is contributing to the team with his ability,” Solari said of the 19-year-old, per TUDN.

‘His team-mates are helping him to adapt and feel comfortable. He has played with personality and today he scores the goal that football owed him since last week.

“I’m glad that he makes his debut with the net, although his position is not so much about scoring goals.”

Naveda has made impressive progress in the short time since making his debut as a substitute against Atlanta United in a CONCACAF Champions League tie in December.