The anticipation surrounding Sergio Ramos’ debut for Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup has been growing. As the team prepares for their crucial Round of 16 second leg against the Vancouver Whitecaps, head coach Martin Demichelis has finally revealed whether the Spanish defender will feature.
The anticipation surrounding Sergio Ramos’ debut for Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup has been growing. As the team prepares for their crucial Round of 16 second leg against the Vancouver Whitecaps, head coach Martin Demichelis has finally revealed whether the Spanish defender will feature.
Monterrey managed a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Canada, despite resting several key players, including Ramos. Now, with a quarter-final spot on the line, Demichelis has made his stance clear on how his team will approach this decisive match.
The club’s performance in Liga MX has been inconsistent, and their recent struggles have led to increased scrutiny of Demichelis’ leadership. However, the Argentine coach remains confident in his squad and has promised a full-strength lineup for Wednesday’s encounter.
“We are not holding anything back; we need to take responsibility for the situation and push through to advance to the quarter-finals,” Demichelis declared ahead of the match.
The coach’s words indicate that Monterrey will field their best available players, ensuring that they avoid any potential slip-ups against a determined Vancouver side.
Will Sergio Ramos make his Monterrey debut in CONCACAF Champions Cup?
In the first leg, Demichelis opted to leave Ramos in Mexico, along with other key players like Oliver Torres and Sergio Canales. The decision paid off to some extent, as Monterrey secured a valuable away goal in the 1-1 draw, keeping the tie open. Now, however, Demichelis has confirmed that the Spaniard will be available for the second leg, marking his first-ever appearance in CONCACAF club competition.
This means that Rayados’ defense will be significantly reinforced, with Ramos bringing his experience, leadership, and winning mentality to a backline that has looked shaky at times. Alongside him, Canales and Torres are also expected to start, as Monterrey looks to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game.
Monterrey holds slight edge in tie
With the away-goal rule in effect, Monterrey enters the second leg with a small advantage. If the match ends in a goalless draw, they will advance on away goals. However, a draw or a loss would see them eliminated.
The winner of this tie will face either Pumas UNAM or Costa Rica’s Alajuelense in the quarter-finals, making Wednesday’s fixture a crucial moment in Monterrey’s season.
