Mexican quartet eye final slots - CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
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Following two goalless first legs, hope of claiming a place at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016 remains intact for the four Mexican semi-finalists in the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League.
This week’s return fixtures will be played out in Monterrey, where Tigres entertain Queretaro, and Mexico City, where defending champions Club America take on Santos Laguna. FIFA.com sets the scene for two decisive matches.
The matches
Tigres-Queretaro, Tuesday 5 April, Estadio El Volcan, Monterrey
Both coaches showed all their tactical acumen in the goalless first leg in Queretaro, with Gallos Blancos boss Victor Manuel Vucetich successfully denying space to Ricardo Ferretti’s potent front line.
With away goals counting double, Vucetich’s side may be tempted to play a more expansive game in the return, one they are more than capable of producing, as they showed in winning 4-2 at Tijuana in the Liga MX at the weekend.
Such an approach could play into Tigres’ hands, however, opening up space for their pacy wide men to exploit in attempting to supply a lethal front line headed by France international Andre-Pierre Gignac.
America-Santos Laguna, Tuesday 5 April, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
While the holders are determined to retain their title and return to the FIFA Club World Cup, Santos are aiming for a place in their third final, with neither side lacking in experience, talent or ambition. Though Los Guerreros have a few enforced absences to contend with, they do have the luxury of being able to draft in Javier Orozco, the leading scorer in the history of the competition with 25 goals.
Las Águilas had two pieces of good news last weekend, with club doctors giving Rubens Sambueza the all-clear following an ankle niggle, and striker Dario Benedetto getting some valuable playing time under his belt, adding to coach Ignacio Ambriz’s options in attack.
The duel
Nahuel Guzman v. Angel Sepulveda
There were 35 minutes on the clock in the first leg when Queretaro front man Angel Sepulveda bore down on Nahuel Guzman in the Tigres goal and let fly with a fierce drive. Just as he did throughout the whole game, however, Guzman was there for his side, denying Sepulveda to keep the game scoreless. The Tigres custodian will need to be on his guard once again in the return, with the 25-year-old striker proving his sharpness in front of goal by scoring a brace in his side’s emphatic weekend win at Tijuana.
Did you know?
Santos Laguna have racked up a total of 29 wins in the CONCACAF Champions League, a tally bettered only by Cruz Azul with 32.
The stat
10 - the number of matches America have gone in the CONCACAF Champions league without losing (six wins and four draws).
What they said
“Our objective is to reach the final and win it. Going for a title is the biggest thing there is. We can’t make the mistake of thinking that we’re the best team in the world, though. We have to be aware that we’re going up against a great side, though every club has its status and its qualities. We’ll see how it pans out, but we want to go through and we’ve got 90 minutes to achieve that. We’ll see if we’re able to win the tie.” Santos Laguna coach Luis Zubeldia