Monterrey with four key absentees for the Clásico Regio against Tigres

The 133rd edition of the Clásico Regio, between Tigres and Monterrey two of the best teams in Mexican soccer, takes place this weekend at the University Stadium.

The two teams are neck and neck in the table - Tigres are fourth on 14 points, just one point and one place ahead of Rayados, who are unbeaten in their last two games. The visitors will be without four first team players on Saturday - all members of their attack. Here we take a look at those who will miss the game.

Germán Berterame

The recent Leagues Cup tournament took its toll on Germán Berterame who fell injured after falling awkwardly while playing on a synthetic pitch. The Argentine forward suffered a fracture to his left foot and underwent surgery on 4 August. There is still no date for when he might reappear - he could be out for a total of six months although his recovery is reported to be going well.

Rodrigo Aguirre

Rodrigo Aguirre missed the Leagues Cup due to a tear to his left thigh muscle, and just when it seemed like he was going to return to the field of play he suffered a relapse in training and continues on the sidelines.

Rogelio Funes Mori

During part of the tournament, El Mellizco played with a swollen ankle until he couldn’t stand the pain any longer and had to stop. The good news is that his return is close, as Fernando Ortíz revealed in his pre-match press conference. There is a chance he could start on the bench.

Alí Ávila

Given such an absence of attacking players, youth team product Alí Ávila was given a run-out in the last game against León. But it ended in disaster after he got himself sent off and now misses the Monterrey derby through suspension.

The Clásico Regio derby between Tigres and Monterrey takes place on Saturday 23 September 2023, kicking off at 9:05 p.m. local time (11:05 p.m. EDT / 8:05 p.m. PDT) at the Universitario stadium.