Santiago Solari 'speaks well' of América playmaker Giovani dos Santos | OneFootball

Santiago Solari praised Giovani dos Santos for his matchwinning contribution after América saw off Necaxa on Saturday.

Dos Santos has endured a disappointing time with the Azulcrema since joining in July 2019.

But, with injured duo Henry Martín and Sebastián Córdova watching on from the stands at the Estadio Azteca, the former LA Galaxy man was afforded a chance to impress from the start.

And the 31-year-old duly obliged, netting with a rare header on the hour mark to give Las Águilas all three points and keep them just two points behind Guard1anes 2021 leaders Cruz Azul.

“He scored a goal that defines the game and was headed, I don’t remember many like that,” América manager Solari told reporters afterwards.

“Giovani has worked well since we arrived. He has gone from less to more. He missed a few weeks of training due to a concussion.

“He struggles to go out and put his talent at the service of the team. He started because he deserved to start.

“He had to define the game as at another time it was [Federico] Viñas or Roger Martínez. That speaks well of his predisposition.”

Dos Santos will hope he did enough to keep his place for Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Olimpia in Honduras.