The Tigres de la UANL will kick off their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign with an away match against Real Estelí of Nicaragua on the evening of February 6, 2025. The highly anticipated match will take place at the Estadio Independencia, starting at 19:00 Central Mexico Time.
After last year's disappointment of being eliminated by Columbus Crew in the quarterfinals, Tigres are coming back with renewed vigor. Head coach Veljko Paunovic, who aims to triumph both domestically and internationally, emphasized the necessity to capture the title, which they last held in 2020.
“We welcome the challenge and understand the stakes,” Paunovic remarked. He is aware of the history between the two clubs and expressed concerns about repeating previous mistakes. “Real Estelí put up quite the fight against Club América last year, so we won't be taking them lightly.”
Despite fielding a squad with several key players missing due to injuries and tactical decisions, Paunovic confirmed the team is committed to facing their Nicaraguan opponents with respect. “There’s no easy opponent; underestimATING anyone can backfire. We are going to play against a great rival,” he stated during the pre-match press conference.
The absence of stars including Nahuel Guzmán, Guido Pizarro, and André-Pierre Gignac has raised eyebrows, but Paunovic stressed the depth of his squad. “We have experience and talent. Everyone traveling is capable and ready to use this opportunity to step up,” he said.
“Real Estelí is their leader when it counts, and we can't afford to drop our guard,” Paunovic added, making it clear the team must adapt quickly to the conditions, including playing on synthetic turf—a first for many of his players.
Tigres defender Jesús Garza expressed enthusiasm for the Champions Cup, recognizing the significant prize of qualifying for the Club World Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. “We are excited about this tournament; our goal is to win it,” said Garza. He emphasized the team ethic and commitment to competing fiercely.
“It's important to respect our opponents regardless of their previous standings. We understand the game we are entering, and we are here to compete as equals,” Garza said.
On the other side, Real Estelí's coach, Otoniel Olivas, welcomed the opportunity to face the Mexican powerhouse. Even with Tigres arriving partially depleted, Olivas highlighted his team's aspiration to capitalize on home-field advantage. “We train to win; nothing can take this dream away from us,” he asserted.
“We are undaunted by the absence of their stars. We will face Tigres head-on, regardless of who is on the pitch,” Olivas continued, expressing confidence and ambition.
Real Estelí is coming off their strong start to the 2025 season, marked by three wins and two losses, putting them at the top of the Liga Primera de Nicaragua. They aim to use this momentum to challenge the more favored Tigres team.
The intensity surrounding this matchup does not escape either team. Paunovic noted they must avoid the sort of mistakes made against Toluca, where they fell short due to lack of intensity. “We cannot afford to lose composure again,” he stated firmly.
With kick-off approaching, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an intense and competitive battle. Tigres are eager for redemption and to reestablish their dominance on the international stage, but Real Estelí is determined to prove they can hold their own against one of the top ranks of Liga MX.