Damian Alvarez (pictured) has been a stalwart of Club Tijuana’s outstanding defense. (Photo: Mexsport)
TIJUANA, Mexico – Unbeaten after two games to start the 2018 Liga MX Clausura (1W-1D-0L, 4 points), Club Tijuana is the only team yet to concede a goal.
That defensive mark will be challenged on Saturday, when the Xolos visit Monterrey – the 2017 Apertura’s top-scoring side with 29 goals.
“We know the class of players that Monterrey has,” said Club Tijuana defender Damian Perez, who started in every game of the previous campaign. “It’s a dynamic team and we are training to play this match in the best way. We also have a very dynamic team and we are confident in that.”
Despite Club Tijuana’s overall vibrancy, defense has been its calling card, as proven by allowing a joint-league low 13 goals on the way to finishing first in the 2016 Clausura regular-season table.
“Being solid defensively is what is asked of us…keeping a clean sheet, so we can counterattack with the team that we have, using half of the field to attack,” Perez finished.
The Xolos, who will face Motagua next month in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, have three wins in their last 10 road outings.
