Tigres prepare to host Forge FC in the second leg of their Round 1 tie at the Estadio Universitario in Nuevo León on February 10, following a tense 0-0 draw in Canada. The standout performer from the first leg was Forge FC’s debut goalkeeper, Dimitry Bertaud, whose exceptional seven saves and crucial defensive blocks played a vital role in securing the tie against the formidable Tigres.
Tigres started the match with high hopes for a prolific scoring display to counter the chill of a cold Canadian evening. The club’s veteran French forward, André-Pierre Gignac, who ranks as the fourth highest all-time goalscorer in Champions Cup history, was eager to add to his tally of 20 goals but was thwarted by a resolute Forge defense.
Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis, who has been at the helm since the club’s inception in 2019, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. He is hopeful for the upcoming match, emphasizing the importance of giving his players a solid opportunity to progress in the tournament, despite the challenges they face. “It’s important to give yourself a good opportunity in the second game. We decided to be a little bit different than we have been in the past in these games, with the result being the most important thing,” he stated during the post-match press conference.
Smyrniotis’s tactical shift to a five-man defense proved effective against the Mexican side, providing a chilly reception both in terms of the weather and their competitive spirit. As the Canadians grew more confident throughout the match, Forge captain Kyle Bekker reminded his teammates of the task ahead, emphasizing the difficulty of securing a result in Mexico. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We know they have quality, and going to Mexico and getting results is no easy feat,” Bekker noted, while acknowledging that coming away with a scoreless draw left them in a favorable position for the return leg.
As Tigres seeks to elevate the intensity and capitalize on their home advantage, Forge FC remains focused on building upon their performance to challenge for a historic upset. With determination on both sides, the upcoming match promises to be an engaging contest.