Lozano Has Personal History - And Hatred - Against Monterrey

Cruz Azul's Jaime Lozano once played for Monterrey's bitter rivals, and because of that he enters the final with a chip on his shoulder.

Dec 10, 2009 9:34:35 AM

More On :  Cruz Azul
Jaime Lozano - Cruz Azul (Tomás Fregoso)
Jaime Lozano has been an important figure in Cruz Azul’s run to the Apertura 2009 finals. Of the five goals scored during the campaign by the player two have come in the Liguilla. He was then suspended by the Disciplinary committee for diving in the first quarter final game against Puebla. Now with another title chance closer, Lozano admits that he’d winning would be special because of his previous rivalry with Monterrey while at Tigres and that points can be taken away from the Tecnologico.
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Although it won’t be a derby, Lozano expects to treat the first leg of the final as such because of his time spent with Tigres. The player played five seasons with the Tigres and lived through many special games and feels like he owes something to fans of his previous team.  

“I will always view a game against Monterrey as a Clasico because in my time with Tigres that was drilled into my head. These games are special and from my end I will be happy to beat Rayados for having played with Tigres. I know what it means for (Tigres) supporters to beat their hated rivals and I owe a lot to them,” Lozano said in a press conference.

Monterrey lost just one game at home and although the series opens at the Tecnologico Lozano thinks that Cruz Azul will fare fine in the first leg.

“It's always difficult. It's a strong stadium, the fans and the team give you something extra. It's always difficult to take points away from them at their house. But I think we've done well in the Liguilla and why shouldn't we think that we can't play another good game.”


Cruz Azul arrived to the Liguilla in second place of the general table as opposed to Monterrey in fifth. The ‘Cementeros’ reached the final in both short seasons of 2008 but fell at the final step. Lozano expects better luck this time around.

“I had the fortune to join Cruz Azul at a time when they wanted to get rid of big names and just wanted players who were willing to work hard, give everything for the team and I've been fortunate enough to play in three finals in four seasons. Unfortunately we haven't culminated them with wins but I think this time around we've arrived in a better form.”

Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

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