Tigres UANL Aim to Stop Inter Miami’s Hierarchy
Inter Miami and Tigres UANL will clash on Saturday night at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with both teams having already qualified for the next round of the Leagues Cup. However, there’s still plenty to play for as the teams vie for top spot in Group N.
Tigres captain Guido Pizarro knows exactly what he’s up against, labelling Inter Miami a team with "hierarchy" and "players of great experience". He’s not wrong – the MLS side boasts the likes of Lionel Messi, even if he is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the 2024 Copa América final.
"The boot has come off, he’s now working at the gym but hasn’t made it out onto the field yet [for training]," Inter Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino revealed. It’s a big blow for the Argentine superstar, but his absence doesn’t detract from the threat that Inter Miami poses.
Pizarro knows that Tigres will have to be at the top of their game to stop Miami’s star-studded attack. "We know Miami is an opponent with players of great hierarchy and experience," he told ESPN. "We have the expectation to give a good performance, and a perfect game by getting the details right."
The Advantage of Mexican Teams
While Mexican teams have struggled to make an impact in this year’s Leagues Cup, Martino believes that this edition is more favorable to his country’s representatives. "The conditions with which the Mexican teams arrive are better than last year’s edition," he said. "There are many teams that, in this case, Tigres that do not have to travel, played the other day in Houston."
It’s true that the likes of Puebla and Queretaro have already bowed out of the competition, but Martino’s words may offer some solace to Liga MX fans. The fact that teams only need to play four matches in the Apertura tournament before joining the Leagues Cup means that they arrive at the competition in better shape than in previous years.
The Verdict
Tigres will be looking to continue their proud tradition of being a protagonist in every tournament they enter. And with Pizarro leading the charge, they have every chance of getting the better of Inter Miami.
Will Inter Miami’s hierarchy be enough to see them off, or will Tigres be able to nullify their threat? Tune in on Saturday night to find out.
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