Monterrey has appeared destined for the Liga MX final for most of the season, and now it is just one game away from making it a reality.
After the top-seeded Rayados posted a 1-0 win at fourth-seed Morelia in the Liguilla semifinal first leg Thursday, they return home to Estadio BBVA Bancomer on Sunday looking to close the deal.
Morelia faces a daunting task at Monterrey, needing to win against the league's top team in a stadium where Antonio Mohamed's side did not lose once in Apertura league play.
| Game | Monterrey vs Morelia |
| Date | Sunday, December 3 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. ET |
LIVE STREAM
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SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Monterrey players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Gonzalez, Carrizo, Resendez |
| Defenders | Montes, Basanta, Sanchez, Portales, Alvarez, Vangioni, Castillo, Fuentes, Medina, Juarez |
| Midfielders | Molina, Ortiz, Zavala, J. Gonzalez, Cardozo, Sanchez, Hurtado, A. Gonzalez |
| Forwards | Funes Mori, Pabon, Benitez, Bueno |
Mohamed's side will have a couple injury concerns heading into the second leg. Carlos Sanchez and Dorlan Pabon appear fit after leaving the second leg of the quarterfinals with knocks, but playing Thursday.
But the club's top scorer Aviles Hurtado left Thursday's contest in the 65th minute with a muscular injury, and his status for the second leg is up in the air.
Potential starting XI: Gonzalez; Vangioni, Basanta, Sanchez, Medina; Sanchez, Cardozo, Gonzalez, Ortiz; Funes Mori, Pabon.
| Position | Morelia players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Malagon, Urbina, Sosa |
| Defenders | Perez, Achilier, Loeschbor, Vegas, Valadez, Rodríguez, Chavez, Guzman |
| Midfielders | Osuna, Mejia, Rodríguez, Rocha, Millar, Valdes, Cuero, Vilchis, Sepulveda, Zarate, Polo, Lezcano |
| Forwards | Ruidíaz, Ortiz, Sansores |
Manager Roberto Hernandez will have a full squad to choose from on Sunday, and will likely need some heroic performances from attackers Raul Ruidaz and Angel Sepulveda to pull off a huge upset.
Potential starting XI: Sosa; Vegas, Rodríguez, Achilier, Guzman; Millar, Osuna; Lezcano, Valdes, Sepulveda; Ruidíaz.
GAME PREVIEW
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During the regular season Monterrey had both the best attack and the stingiest defense in Liga MX, all while going unbeaten at home, so confidence will be soaring for Mohamed's side needing only a home draw to advance to the final.
There are a few warning signs, though, that things may not be completely straightforward for Rayados at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer on Sunday night.
First off, Morelia controlled the first leg and were it not for a controversial penalty decision and several key stops from goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez, Monterrey could easily be facing a deficit heading home for the second leg.
In addition, Morelia was the Apertura's best away side in the regular season, posting a record of six wins, one draw and two losses on its travels.
Finally, Monterrey could very well be without top scorer Aviles Hurtado, who picked up an injury in the first leg.
With all that said, Monterrey will still be hugely favored to advance to the Apertura final, where a potential date with crosstown rivals Tigres awaits.
Mohamed's side has the depth to overcome Hurtado's absence and is far and away the best side of the remaining four semifinalists. At this point, anything less than a title will be seen as a failure for Rayados.
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