‘Difficult Match’: Tigres Enter Second Leg Wary Of Canada’s Forge FC

Liga MX giant Tigres UANL may be the favourites for their Champions Cup clash against Forge FC, but a level first leg on Canadian soil all but ensures we’ll see some nervy opening minutes in the second.

February 10 will see Tigres host Canada’s Forge FC in what will be a conclusive match with only one team marching on to the Round of 16. With away goals working in Forge’s favour, Tigres will be aiming to take the initiative early on, taking advantage of a home crowd and much warmer weather.

Forge 0-0 Tigres: Hammers Hold Liga MX Visitors To Draw

Tigres head coach Guido Pizarro had looked a little miffed while leaving Hamilton Stadium with a level scoreline last week, especially with the attack-minded Tigres failing to stamping their name on the scoreline. While side his has a budget several times over Forge’s own, the Tigres boss has made the respect shown between both sides crystal clear ahead of leg two in Monterrey.

“I think it’s a difficult match where they have their own distinct characteristics,” admits Pizarro on his Canadian opposition. “We’re focused on qualifying, on playing a great game. We know it won’t be easy, but with commitment and focus, we want to play a great game, finish the series, and advance to the next round.”

Reflecting on a first leg that saw temperatures drift well below zero, the Tigres boss recalls that his side had decent opportunities to take the first leg but couldn’t convert, with Forge goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud locking in both a clean sheet and a man of the match performance.

The solution? Just keep hammering the hammers.

“I think we’ll have to dominate the game from the start, build on that, and try to gain the advantage, but as we always do, focusing on what we have to do, on being protagonists and trying to win the game.”

The Liga MX side could see a debut from high-profile signing Rodrigo Aguirre – The Buffalo, as he is known – who arrives from Club America as a striker with a winning pedigree who is expected to make an immediate impact. Pizarro confirmed that the Uruguayan has been added to the Tigres Champions Cup roster and will be available for the match, though given that he only recently started training with the side, it’s unlikely we’ll see Aguirre start.

With everything on the line for the knockout bout, Tigres are expected to put out a strong starting eleven, particularly since they’re entering the home leg with away goals in effect. Andre-Pierre Gignac and potential Canada convert Marcelo Flores are likely to start, and fans could also see the debut of Francisco ‘Paco’ Reyes, who arrived to Tigres on loan from Atlante late last month.

“We will see tomorrow which players will start the game,” says Pizzaro. “I think we’ve been mixing things up in recent games, some are resting or playing fewer minutes, but the idea is to be the best competitive team because we know the commitment, the importance of it, and we’ll take it as such.”

Pizarro says the Tigres squad is playing with enthusiasm and will show commitment to his ‘protagonist’ approach. Expect darting runs and an effort to exploit a backline that will need to keep its collective head on a swivel, particularly with Tigres’ having found joy out on the left flank last Tuesday.

In turn, Forge boss Bobby Smyrniotis said his side are entering the match knowing they’re facing a Liga MX side that’s going to be good, and that’s something the hammers will have to be prepared for.

“We have to be compact in those moments, and when we’re on the ball, we have to be our better self,” says the Forge boss, who notes that his team grew well into the first leg and wants to see his side stick to the Forge philosophy that has served them well ever since day one.

“Just to make sure we’re in possession, we’re keeping the ball, we’re keeping our lines condensed on the ball, off the ball. It’s the principles of Forge. Doesn’t matter what shape you take on the field.”

The Hamilton side has long been the de facto flag bearer of Canada’s top flight in continental competition, but has yet to lock in a win against Liga MX opposition. A win would make history, but there’s a long 90 minutes – or more, if things stay scoreless – for that potential timeline.

Tigres defender Jesus Garza featured in the match against Forge last week and, while his defence limited Forge to just three shots on target out of ten attempts, he was left with only positive things to say about the Ontario-based club.

“I think we have to take them seriously, treat them with the respect they deserve. They’re a great team, so we have to work hard like we do in every game and take them on in the best way possible.”

With Tigres making it clear that they’re ready to face Forge as a difficult opponent, there’ll be no holding back with Champions Cup advancement on the line. Fans can tune into the Champions Cup tilt between Tigres UANL and Forge FC this Tuesday, February 10 at 10:00PM EST on OneSoccer.

Header Image Photo Credit: Michael Chisholm / Onesoccer