First Big Test for Palencia: Pumas vs. Tigres

No More Extension

It has been over nine months since Francisco Palencia took over as coach of the Pumas' first team, and today, against Tigres, he will have his first major success at stake, which could turn into failure in case of elimination. Paco and his team will face Tigres in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarter-finals, with their minds set on the Club World Cup, but also on taking one step further.

Like a movie script, the border to overcome could not be other than a rival that has made their lives difficult in recent years: Tigres. The team led by Ricardo Ferretti denied them the league title in the Apertura 2015, winning on Pumas' home field, and the previous semester they knocked them out of the playoffs in the quarter-finals with a heavy defeat in Monterrey (5-0).

Pumas would not only advance in the Concacaf Champions League but also put an end to one of their worst nightmares, and the players are aware of this: "We have studied Tigres well, we have faced them several times and we know their style of play; they are a team that imposes their conditions on any field, but we will try to maintain control and neutralize their attack," said Abraham González earlier this week.

In their favor, the University team has, in addition to the support of their fans, the score: 1-1 in the first leg, which gives them a greater margin when it comes to attacking and proposing offensively; the Pedregal team will rely on their best arsenal and try to take advantage of their home field to contain the offensive power of the Tigres, whose biggest surprise is the return of Nahuel Guzmán to the goal. It's time for Pumas to grow.

"We know that we have an advantage, even if it's minimal - the away goal - and we are going to try to take advantage of it. The Concacaf Champions League is a tournament that excites us as a group, where we seek qualification to the Club World Cup, we want to be there. We are going for internationalization, although it is step by step, and first, we want to reach the semi-finals; I see the boys very motivated, and we have prepared the match well," said Paco Palencia before the match against Tigres.

Regarding the football level of his team, in which Pumas experienced a month of February with three draws and two defeats, including in the league and the Concacaf Champions League, Palencia trusts that the bad runs, the adverse fortune, and even the mistakes made by his players in some positions, have been left behind, especially when it comes to defining the series against Tigres. The coach remains optimistic and awaits one more step in his tenure.

"We have made many mistakes, but I am reassured that the team already understands how we want to play and has the game system very clear in their minds; results may come or not, but I really like how the team is playing at the moment, they never give up and are well prepared to start winning important things, that's why the Concacaf Champions League is so relevant for everyone," he said.

Palencia emphasized an off-the-field aspect of the northern team: their supporters. The so-called "Libres y Lokos," the fan club blamed for the incidents in the stands of the Luis Pirata Fuente stadium, confirmed through social media that they will be present in the second leg of the quarter-finals, a situation that Pumas' coach gave his point of view on in case the visiting fans caused any trouble at the Olímpico.

"At our stadium, security is very strict and thorough. As long as Tigres fans come to support their team, it's fine; it's not for me to judge the rival supporters' fan clubs, all I can say is that if Tigres is okay with their fan club having that South American influence, then so be it. I'm nobody to tell them what to do or not to do. I know the Pumas fans and I know they will behave in the best way," he said.

THE FACT

This Tuesday, Tigres' management announced the return of Antonio Sancho as sports manager of the institution.

FOR TODAY

PUMAS VS TIGRES

21:00

Broadcast: Fox Sports

Stadium: Olímpico

Referee: To be determined