Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman (pictured) has allowed only two goals in three games during the 2017 Liga MX Apertura playoffs. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – In nine of its previous 10 away games during the 2017 Liga MX Apertura, Tigres had conceded at least one goal, with the only shutout coming in a 1-0 win at Club Tijuana on September 26.
On Wednesday, UANL picked the right time to keep its second clean sheet of the season, blanking host Club America, 1-0, in their semifinal, first-leg encounter.
Anselmo Vendrechovski (Juninho) netted the game-winner from the penalty spot in the 49th minute, after Bruno Valdez was whistled for a handball in the area, marking the third straight match in which Tigres scored a single goal.
For Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, it was nicely balanced performance.
“I think in regards to the game, in the first half, we knew how to play with the ball, which is what works best for us,” said the 31-year-old. “This team takes advantage of possession and, when it’s necessary, it managed several chances of which you can take advantage sometimes.”
Despite the road win, Guzman, who helped lead Tigres to the 2015 and 2016 Apertura titles, is not about to declare the series done. In fact, the Argentinean expects an even more aggressive Club America in the second leg on Saturday.
“I imagine an America trying to be the protagonist from the first minute,” Guzman finished. “For that reason, we have to read the situation that is happening in the match, reading well each moment of the match. It is going to be a hard-fought match, with a lot of tension and some physicality.”
