Tigres acquired midfielder Jurgen Damm (yellow jersey) from Pachuca in June 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – Tigres begins defense of its Liga MX crown on Sunday with a visit to Toluca. Not only is UANL looking to repeat as domestic champion, it is also targeting the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League title.
In pursuit of those objectives, midfielder Jurgen Damm believes that his side can follow the lead of one of his former teams: Pachuca, which lifted the 2009-10 SCCL trophy.
“I think that we have a squad that can be thought of like the Pachuca teams from 2007-10, with many titles and many things won,” said the 23-year-old. “I think that Tigres has the squad. They kept all of their players and there were many good additions. We have it in mind to put a stamp on the title, to be able to get back-to-back championships, to win the Champions League and get that Club World Cup ticket, which is the dream that all players have.”
Although Damm was an important part of Tigres’ championship campaign -- playing in 15 games and scoring one goal -- the unassuming Mexico international feels that he still has to work diligently in order to earn a spot in head coach Ricardo Ferretti’s starting XI.
“I think I have to work a lot to be a starter,” Damm commented. “It is a team where there are many quality players and if you let up a little bit they will take your place. So I try to work day to day at 100 percent to keep myself in the starting lineup and continue the trust that the coach has given me until now, and to do the best possible in all the matches and all the training sessions.”
During the winter transfer window, Damm has been linked with clubs in Europe. Despite such flattery, the former Estudiantes Tecos standout emphasized that his thoughts are only with Tigres.
“I think that all players dream of being on the national team and reaching Europe, but in these moments I am focused on Tigres,” finished Damm. “I am grateful to the directors, the coaching staff and my teammates for the confidence they have given me. I am happy here.
“Right now I am only thinking about Tigres and continue earning myself a spot to stay as a starter.”
