Hugo Gonzalez (pictured) is hoping to get the starting nod when Club America visits Tigres for the first leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final on April 20, 2016. (Photo: Mexsport)

MONTERREY, Mexico – With Moises Muñoz nursing an ankle injury and not on the active roster, Club America could be turning to Hugo Gonzalez to fill the goalkeeping void for the first leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final on Wednesday at Tigres. 

The 25-year-old custodian, who has appeared in seven games during the current Liga MX Clausura campaign, is not fazed by the magnitude of either the possibility of starting or the game itself. 

“Personally, I am happy for the opportunity, for the matches I’ve had,” Gonzalez said at a Tuesday evening press conference. “I have not spoken much with Moises. He is in rehabilitation, so I am very upbeat about having the chance to play a final, which would be my first final. I am going to try to do it in the best way and stay focused.” 

Muñoz helped the Aguilas to victory over the Impact de Montreal in last year’s SCCL final, so Gonzalez has accomplished shoes to fill. He is, however, keeping the occasion in calm perspective. 

“It’s another final and we have to win it, but facing Tigres -- which is a great team -- is going to be difficult,” expressed Gonzalez. “What we are thinking about is winning. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of us. 

“We know that Tigres is a great team. On their pitch, it is difficult with their fans. We must have a smart enough game here and know that the away goal counts a lot.” 

Slightly less than two months ago, host Tigres defeated nine-man Club America, 4-1, in their Clausura meeting. The visitor went ahead 1-0 in the 69th minute through Jesus Moreno, before U.A.N.L. exploded for four unanswered goals. 

Andre-Pierre Gignac – Liga MX’s top scorer with 11 goals – made it 3-1, firing past Muñoz with three minutes left in normal time. The challenge of squaring off against the France international is something to which Gonzalez is looking forward. 

“It is going to be important for me to face Gignac, who is one of the league’s best forwards,” the San Luis Potosi native commented. “You have to be well prepared to do things in the best way.” 

Regardless of Gignac’s unique abilities or those of the others in Tigres’ vast offensive arsenal, Gonzalez is trusting in his teammates and himself. 

“We know that it is a difficult match, but we have the advantage in that we close at home, so it is going to be very important to control this match,” he finished. “I feel well prepared. I have been fighting for enough time to have these opportunities and now that I have them, I want to take advantage of them. There’s nothing left for me but to take the field and do it in the best way.”