Action from the Liga MX Apertura match between visiting Tigres (left) and Club America on August 23, 2017, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – While many fans in Nuevo Leon are dreaming of a 2017 Liga MX Apertura final between Tigres and local-rival Monterrey, each side still has semifinal series to navigate.
Top-seeded Monterrey will be taking on Morelia, while No. 2 Tigres has a showdown with Club America.
UANL head coach Ricardo Ferretti is not looking past the present.
“We cannot be singing about a victory beforehand,” the 63-year-old said at a press conference Monday. “It would be a lack of respect to our opponents to say this before playing against them.”
The five-time Liga MX winning manager also cautioned against penciling in the Rayados for the final, reminding everyone that Morelia is a quality side. Their only meeting this season – on July 21, 2017 – ended in a scoreless draw.
“They (Monterrey), as much as us are going to face difficult opponents,” remarked Ferretti. “America and Morelia are two very hard teams. Last season and this season, they (Morelia) have shown capability. They eliminated Toluca.”
Still, when he steps back and examines the four teams left in the Liguilla, the former Pumas manager believes that Monterrey stands tall.
“The opponent to beat is our neighbor. That is the team to beat since the season started,” Ferretti finished. “They have shown it in the regular season and in this phase as well.”
Tigres will visit Club America for their semifinal opener on Wednesday at the Estadio Azteca.
