A few hours before the most striking match of the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup between Rayados de Monterrey and InterMiami, Fernando Ortizthe Monterrey coach took off the pressure by saying that they are not favorites and commented that the presence of the Argentine star could change the duel.
“I don’t think we are favorites, it’s going to be a very even match. It can be determined in details. Whether Leo plays or not, it will be decisive”, commented the blue and white technical director in an interview published by Fox Sports.
“Messi is indecipherable. You have to be close, short. If we give a chance to players as important as the ones they have, it’s going to get complicated,” he said, opening the panorama a little to the rest of the Florida team.
Regarding this, he assured that, regardless of whether Messi plays or not, Rayados will give his best to seek the result.
“I think that Miami is a very interesting team that is in the same situation as us. “I am concerned about all of Miami, not just one name in particular,” he added.
Lionel Messi still in doubt for the game, due to muscle discomfort that has been bothering him for weeks. This Tuesday he trained with the team under the orders of Gerardo Martino, but it is unknown if he will be ready to take the field this Wednesday.
Ortiz, because as a player he played in both the Concachampions and the Copa Libertadores, was asked if there was a difference between the two and he was categorical in saying no in sports, although there was in the environment that surrounds them.
“Yes, there is a small difference with respect to those international competitions, but not sports ones. It’s not easy to get into a Brazilian playing field. That passion they have for soccer in the southern part is different. In sports competition, it is something similar when I was on this side (in the Liga MX“), stated the Rayados coach who has a past as a soccer player for Santos Laguna, América and Tigres at the end of the first decade of the 21st century.
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