Rayados de Monterrey, the team in which Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales plays, will host Xelajú of Guatemala today with the idea of winning and qualifying for the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
After tying 1-1 with a last-minute goal in last week’s first leg, the Mexicans will be looking to take advantage of their home advantage to confirm their status as favorites. Rayados are the best team in CONCACAF in the last 15 years, with 5 titles since 2011. This Wednesday they will go out to confirm it with a solid team in all their lines.
Going for home qualification
Last Wednesday, Xelajú took the lead with a goal by Joffre Escobar in the 83rd minute, but the team pulled one back in the final moments.
Jesús Corona equalized for the Rayados of Monterrey, who come into the match with an away goal in their favor.
Colombian defender John Stefan Medina, midfielders Canales and Argentine Lucas Ocampo and Montenegrin striker Uros Durjdevic will be key players in the team, coached by Spaniard Domènec Torrent.
Although they have the second-best attack in the Mexican Clausura, Los Regios are in ninth place in the standings and are looking to climb back up the table.
In addition to advancing to the CONCACAF round of 16 where they will face the winner of the Cruz Azul-Vancouver series.
Xelajú relies on its defense
Xelaju is in sixth place in the Guatemalan league tournament and has the best defense, which it will try to ratify at the Rayados del Monterrey stadium.
Roberto Hernandez, coach of the Central American team, has repeated during the week that his team is motivated.
This after having tied the first leg against Rayados and is confident of striking a blow at their rival’s home.
“No team is invincible; we are motivated,” said the strategist.
Probable lineups
We are motivated
Roberto Hernández
Monterrey: Santiago Melé; Ricardo Chávez, Stefan Medina, Víctor Guzmán, Gerardo Arteaga; Jorge Rodríguez; Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, Fidel Ambriz, Lucas Ocampos; Uros Durjdevic.
Xelajú: Darío Silva; Raúl Calderón, Javier González, Manuel Romero, Kevin Ruiz, José Longo; Yilton Díaz, Juan Cardona, Derrickson Quirós, Antonio López; Steven Cárdenas.
Trainer: Roberto Hernández.
Referee: To be designated.
Stadium: BBVA, in Monterrey, northern Mexico.
Time: 9:00 p.m. (03:00 GMT) / 10:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (PT)
Streaming: FOX One and partner platforms carrying CONCACAF Champions Cup coverage.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
