What does Monterrey need to qualify for the semifinals after the first leg result against Tigres?

Thursday, May 9, University ‘Volcano’ field. The UANL Tigersdirected by Robert Dante Siboldi, received a visit from Monterrey Soccer Clubcommanded by Fernando: ‘Tano’ Ortíz in the match corresponding to the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2024 tournament.

The game was worked with tweezers under the arm. Both coaches knew what was at stake and risked little. Rayados took the lead first, with a goal from Sergio Canales, Tigres tied it through Diego Laínez in the agony of the first half, and starting the second half Maxi Meza put the final 2-1 for Monterrey, who has foot and half in the semi-finals.

The first four league matches between Club de Fútbol Monterrey and the Tigres de la UANL favored Rayados, who advanced to the final in 2003 and 2005; to the semi-final in 2013 and 2016, leaving the bitter rival on the road.

However, in recent years the story has been completely different. The feline comeback began in the 2017 Clausura, when Tigres beat Rayados 6-1 on aggregate and eliminated them, for the first time, in the quarterfinals.

That same year, but now in the Apertura competition, Tigres defeated Monterrey in nothing more and nothing less than in a final for the Mexican championship, on a night that Rayados fans will hardly forget.

In 2019, Tigres defeated Monterrey again, this time in the semifinals, and later became Liga MX champions. Same case in May 2023, when those already led by Uruguayan Robert Dante Siboldi eliminated Rayados in the semifinals, reached the final and won their eighth league title.

Currently, the record dictates four qualifying rounds for one and four for the other. If they advance, the cats would be one step above their staunch rival. To do so, they will have to beat Monterrey, who can even afford to lose a one-goal difference in the second leg, and they would still advance to the semifinal for the Mexican championship.