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Game: Club de Fútbol Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León vs. Club de Fútbol Universidad Nacional A. C.
Date: Wednesday, February 22st
Time: 7:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 PM Central, 10:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Estadio Universitario (San Nicolás de los Garza, N.L.)
Television: United States - Univision Deportes USA; Mexico - Fox Sports Mexico
Streaming: Sling (Free trial + monthly subscription), fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription), WatchESPN, ESPN Play Latin America, CONCACAF Champions League Facebook Page
Both Liga MX teams enter this match after two wild matches, although in very different senses of the word. Pumas comes in after scoring three goals in a span of ten minutes to draw Xolos at home, while Tigres comes home after a 3-0 win at Veracruz turned ugly when fans rioted and attacked visiting fans while the team watched helplessly.
Pumas’ defense has been its strength for some time, and Paco Palencia’s men will have to pay special attention to Andre-Pierre Gignac. While it’s never a good idea to leave Gignac unattended, he broke a scoring drought against Veracruz, so his confidence will be sky-high. Ex-Pumas midfielder Ismael Sosa and fellow Argentine midfielder Lucas Zelarayán each have two goals in Liga MX play for Tigres.
Tigres on the other hand will need to watch for Pumas’ wing backs to start the quick transition upfield. Josecarlos van Rankin and Alan Mendoza are quick to play a long vertical pass leading Kevin Escamilla or Pablo Barrera or look for a long diagonal cross-field pass if the opportunity arises. Nicolás Castillo is the real danger man for Pumas, as he’s tied for third in Liga MX with three goals.
Pumas won Group A by beating out Honduras Progreso and Trinidad and Tobago’s W Connection. Tigres advanced by besting Costa Rican giants Herediano and Panama’s Plaza Amador. The winner of this two-leg round will face the winner of the New York Red Bulls - Vancouver Whitecaps quarterfinal.
Check out the latest video from KICK TV on Liga MX clubs in the CCL