'There's no time for regrets, we have to prepare for the match against Pumas' - Monterrey's Martin Demichelis determined to move on from Pachuca loss

Monterrey head coach Martín Demichelis is already turning the page after his team’s 2–1 defeat to Pachuca in the Play-In, a result that now forces Rayados into a do-or-die matchup against Pumas for a spot in the Liguilla. The winner will advance to face Toluca in the quarterfinals.

Key absences played a role in the loss, as Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, and Óliver Torres all missed the match due to injury, leaving Monterrey without their Spanish core. Despite an early lead through Germán Berterame in the 11th minute, Tuzos mounted a late comeback with goals from Lucas Bauermann (82’) and Salomón Rondón (87’).

“The feeling is the opposite of happiness. We faced a rival that made us uncomfortable. In the second half, without making changes, we adjusted and improved, took the lead, and then had four fatal minutes where every action turned the game,” said Demichelis after the match. “The feeling is one of great frustration and sadness because we expected to take that step into the playoffs.”

Still, the Argentine coach emphasized that the team must quickly shift its focus to the upcoming challenge.

“There's no time for regrets, we have to prepare for the match against Pumas,” he added. “We have to take responsibility. The tougher things get, the more this team responds.”

Demichelis could have reinforcements for the decisive weekend clash, as Ramos, Canales, and Torres may return to action just in time.

There’s no time for regret in Monterrey - nothing is lost yet. Rayados will have one final shot at reaching the Liguilla when they host Pumas this weekend, but the pressure is immense on Demichelis and his squad. With significant investments made in the roster, including the high-profile signing of Sergio Ramos for the Clausura 2025, crashing out in the Play-In would be considered a major failure.

Despite the fans’ growing frustration, the Argentine coach remains hopeful that supporters will fill the stadium for the decisive showdown.

“There’s no explanation that can satisfy the fans - there just isn’t. Let me stay positive and focus on the next match. After that, we’ll make a full assessment of what these four months have been: the short preseason, the injuries, the squad… But there are no words, not even apologies, because we’ve already put ourselves in the fans’ shoes and apologized in the past,” Demichelis said.

“The fans’ frustration is totally understandable and valid. The only thing we can say is that we have one week left - we must beat Pumas and qualify for the playoffs. After that, we’ll all need to engage in self-criticism to help this institution continue growing. But right now, there’s no sugarcoating, no excuses, nothing we can say to the fans,” he added.

In one of the other Play-In matches, UNAM punched their ticket to the next round after edging FC Juárez in a dramatic penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Alex Padilla emerging as the hero. The young shot-stopper made key saves during the shootout, ensuring his team’s progression.

The Auriazules will now travel to Monterrey to face Rayados in a decisive clash for a place in the Liguilla.

“I believe we truly deserve to advance to the next round. We created more chances, and the team put in an extraordinary defensive effort. We looked organized and knew exactly how we wanted to play,” said the coach. “Even with 10 men, we generated scoring opportunities - doing that on the road is something to be proud of.”

Monterrey head into their decisive match against Pumas carrying a dominant record in recent meetings. Rayados are unbeaten in their last nine games against the Mexico City side, with Pumas’ most recent win coming back in 2022.

To further highlight Monterrey's superiority in this rivalry, consider this: in the last 20 encounters between the two clubs, UNAM has managed just two victories. Rayados have claimed 13 wins and five draws over that stretch — a clear sign of their recent dominance.