Regarding what the team has done in recent times, defender Leonel Vangioni considered Rayados de Monterrey to be one of the biggest teams in Mexico and on par with America.
"No (America is not bigger than Rayados), since I've been here it's been demonstrated that Rayados is one of the big teams in Mexico, because of the things that are being achieved, because of the tournaments that are being fought."
"America is a big team in Mexico, but we're on par because of what we're doing, because of what Mexico expects from Rayados and because of the squad they have, especially with very good Mexicans. Rayados, for me, has some of the best Mexicans in the league and they're demonstrating it with the way they're playing, and surely they will have the opportunity to play in Europe," he said.
The player said that now they hope to crown themselves in the Apertura 2019 Tournament, when they face the Eagles in the final, and he made it clear that there are no invincible teams anywhere.
"There's no invincible team, it's been demonstrated, not only here, nobody is invincible. The percentage of favoritism is very divided, because both teams have a great squad and they also have a great plan, it will be a balanced final."
"America has its players, knows Mexican football, has a coach who knows all the tricks of Mexican football and it will be a nice match, we don't depend on what America is going to do, but on what we do, that's how we think," he added in an interview with Odin Ciani from ESPN.
Vangioni highlighted the work done by the team in the past Club World Cup and what they showed in the match against Liverpool, which he considered relevant for the team.
Regarding whether the physical aspect could influence the final after Rayados played in the international tournament, he said that "that won't have much influence in the matches, neither the fact that we traveled so many kilometers nor that they rested, that won't influence the match, finals are played with the heart, with the head, you forget about tiredness and pain."
Leonel Vangioni added that they expect a victory this Thursday, because it will be important for them to take the lead in the first leg of the final, to be played at the BBVA Stadium starting at 8:36 PM.