27 oct. 2021
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Monterrey and America in CONCACAF Champions League final
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A ticket to the United Arab Emirates at stake
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The final takes place on Thursday, October 28
Monterrey and America are set to face off in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League final, the winner of which will represent the confederation at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup ™ in the United Arab Emirates. .
Poster
The final will be played over a single match which will take place on Thursday, October 28 at 9:00 p.m. (local time). Monterrey welcomes the Americas in the Estadio BBVA, a magnificent speaker with a modern design inaugurated six years ago.
The road to the final
Monterrey started his journey against Atlético Pantoja in the round of 16. The Striped easily dominated the Dominicans (6-1 in aggregate), before disposing of Columbus Crew (5-2 cumul) in the quarter. In the semifinals, they faced Cruz Azul, champion of Mexico. After a narrow victory on their home turf in the first leg, they largely dominated the Cement at the Azteca stadium (4-1) to win 5-1 in aggregate score.
America was put to the test by Olimpia in the round of 16. Winners 2-1 in Honduras and defeated 0-1 at Azteca, the Mexicans won thanks to away goals. Fallers of the Portland Timbers (4-2 in aggregate score) in the quarter, they qualified for the final at the expense of Philadelphia Union (4-0 in aggregate score).
The forces involved
Leader of the championship with eight points in advance, America has known only one defeat in domestic competition. The Eagles seem to have adapted perfectly to the philosophy of Argentina’s Santiago Solari, who is playing his second tournament on the bench. Their style of play is fairly balanced. They build from back to front trying to keep the ball and not expose their defense. In the nets, they count on the strength of Guillermo Ochoa, the goalkeeper of the Mexican selection. The rearguard, made up of players of the caliber of Bruno Valdéz and Miguel Layún, have only let up four goals in six games in the current Champions League. In attack, America has many options, including Sebastián Córdova and Henry Martin, bronze medals at Tokyo 2020.
For its part, Monterrey aligns one of the most complete squads in Mexican football. However, the results have not kept pace in recent times, Striped having conceded four defeats in five matches. Esteban Andrada occupies the cages behind Héctor Moreno and César Montes, who combine youth and experience. In the midfield, the talented Maximiliano Meza, Arturo González and Carlos Rodríguez support Joel Campbell and Rogelio Funes Mori in attack. If Javier Aguirre’s men go through a rough patch, the final could offer them the opportunity to get back on track and reconnect with the world club tournament.
Club World Cup experience
Both teams have already tasted the FIFA Club World Cup ™. Present in four editions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2019), Monterrey obtained his best result in his last participation, from which he returned with third place after falling against Liverpool in the semi-finals (1-2). L’América has competed in three editions (2006, 2015, 2016). His best ranking is a fourth place, taken during his first and last appearances in the event.
Understood…
“We are in bad shape in the championship, but we have the opportunity to turn the situation around. We have to work and mobilize ourselves mentally. It’s another competition and it’s a final. The team is refocusing to go seek victory “- – Javier Aguirre, coach of Monterrey
“We fought to be here and we are very happy. It is difficult to reach this stage anywhere in the world. I speak knowingly, because I had the chance to take part in many international finals. The players deserve to enjoy it and we will, of course, do everything to win “- Santiago Solari, America coach
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