Morelia's Rey Hopeful Of Libertadores Turnaround

Morelia visit Deportivo Cuenca on Tuesday and are in desperate need of a result.

Mar 9, 2010 9:41:00 AM

Luis Gabriel Rey - Morelia (Mexsport)
Morelia's Copa Libertadores hopes may come down to Tuesday's game.

Win, and Morelia will have four points at the midway point; not the greatest total but enough to give the Mexican club a glimmer of hope for the knockout rounds.

Draw or lose, and Monarcas may as well play out the remaining group stage with their reserve players.

Morelia will play at Ecuador's Deportivo Cuenca in what is essentially a do-or-die game. If Morelia lose, they will be a minimum of four points back of second place heading into the final three group stage games.

To defeat Cuenca in Ecuador, Morelia will do so without the services of Miguel Sabah. The star striker was sent off late in Morelia's 0-0 draw against Nacional two weeks ago and must sit the match out.

Even though the club is facing a near-dire situation, Morelia's Luis Gabriel Rey said the team remains upbeat.

"Emotionally, we're good. We're fine but we're always looking for more," Rey told Notimex. "We hope to recover (from Saturday's league game) and hopefully be in good shape on the day of the game."

Rey said the club needs to perform well on the ball and try to play to their strengths.

"We have to manage the ball well, something I think is the most important part of Monarcas," he said. "That's what has helped us obtain results, above all in the Mexican league."

Morelia, who beat Estudiantes 2-0 on the weekend, said the players are confident in their abilities to pull out a result.

"We have the desire to obtain a good result," he said. "Hopefully that happens. I believe the team has what it takes to get it done."

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