Monterrey’s Nicolas Sanchez (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring against host Tigres in the Liga MX Apertura final, first leg on December 7, 2017, in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – Monterrey is feeling good about its chances of winning a fifth Liga MX title following Thursday’s 1-1 draw at city-rival Tigres in the first leg of the 2017 Liga MX Apertura final.
“The series is open,” said defender Nicolas Sanchez, whose ninth-minute goal gave the visitor a 1-0 lead. “We hope to take advantage of our home stadium. In order to win this final you have to be calm. We take with us a good result.”
Following Sanchez’s strike, Tigres replied through Enner Valencia’s 26th-minute penalty conversion, setting the stage for Sunday’s decider at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer.
Monterrey goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez – winner of two Liga MX titles with Club America – anticipates another staunch test from UANL.
“I expect that they come out similarly to how they did today, a very offensive Tigres,” the 27-year-old remarked. “It is important for us to be well prepared and worry about what we have to do.”
A combined 10W-1D-0L record at home in the regular season and postseason play has the Rayados fancying their chances of lifting the trophy.
“We should not change anything that we have done during the season, which is being offensive, well-balanced and calm,” concluded Gonzalez. “At home, we have done things very well and nothing has to be changed.”
Monterrey has not won the domestic league title since the 2010 Apertura.
