Tigres’ Enner Valencia (left) and Jesus Dueñas (right) are shown prior to departing for Leon on November 21, 2017. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – There must be something about Liga MX Apertura playoffs that brings out the best in Ricardo Ferretti’s Tigres.
Since his arrival as head coach in 2010, it has won three Liga MX titles -- all coming in an Apertura (2011, 2015, 2016).
While Ferretti isn’t necessarily one to be fixated on historical data, as the 2017 Apertura postseason’s launch approaches, he would gladly accept the same trophy – once again -- next month.
“Hopefully, God keeps blessing us with that statistic,” said Ferretti. “As you know, I’m not one for statistics on certain things. Like I say, all matches are different, all phases are different, but, hopefully, we can continue that [Apertura] momentum. Hopefully, we can be in the final and win it.”
Second-seeded Tigres will visit No. 7 seed Leon on Wednesday in the opener of their quarterfinal series. In the sides’ regular-season meeting, host Leon earned a 1-0 win on Elias Hernandez’s 83rd-minute chip.
“Hopefully, they (the players) are aware of everything that is required to tackle this phase, but I don’t think pure experience is sufficient,” Ferretti finished. “There are other aspects that we have to put together to be able to play good matches and earn the result for which we are aiming.”
A sixth Liga MX crown is the objective.
