By Jorge Hernandez
Nov 25, 2024, 18:57 PM EST
Cougars will face Monterey this week in the quarterfinals of the Apertura 2024 of the Liga MX and they will not allow themselves to go out and speculate, but rather they will seek to devour their rival from minute 1 of the 180-minute series, their defender assured. Ruben Duarte.
“From minute 1 we have to look to score goals there because they are a tough opponent, with high-level players,” Duarte said in the press conference prior to the first leg.
The Pumas will visit the Rayados on Thursday and receive them on Sunday in a series in which the team with the most goals in both games will qualify for the semifinals; although if there is a tie, the cats will advance by better placement in the general table during the regular season.
“If we think about the position, we are going wrong, that could be when there are a few minutes left in the second game; then you could think about the advantage, not before,” reiterated the defender from Almería.
With experience at Espanyol and Alavés in LaLiga, Duarte signed with the Pumas to play in the Apertura 2024, in which he has been a pillar in the scheme of Argentine coach Gustavo Lema and, most importantly, has been key in the good performance of the team’s defense, the second best in the championship.
“In this series It will be important to be good on defense. As for the offense, in almost every game we have had opportunities and we need more success; I think we are saving the goals for the Liguilla,” he stated.
Regarding the teams’ break due to the FIFA date and the Liga MX play-in, something that has been criticized by some, it suited the defender and his team well, as he mentioned.
“We had consecutive games and we needed a break; It has helped me because I have recovered”, said.
Finally, regarding the losses that his rival will have, which are not minor, since Esteban Andrada, Lucas Ocampo and Jordi Cortizo will be absent, the university defender said that he was not sure if this will affect or benefit his rival, who in any case way he described it as “hard”.
“They have casualties, but sometimes you don’t know if it’s better or worse because those who come in want to take advantage of the opportunity. “Rayados has a large squad with high-level players and they will be a tough opponent,” he concluded.
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