Rayados are up against a coach with form for masterminding Monterrey misery
Club Xelajú’s former Morelia boss Roberto Martínez has fond memories of a 2017 visit to Monterrey’s home stadium.
On Wednesday, Monterrey will look to lock up their spot in the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup when they host Guatemala’s Club Xelajú in the Sultana del Norte. The visitors are coached by Mexican manager Roberto Martínez, a man with fond memories of Estadio BBVA. Nearly a decade ago, he authored a miracle there while at the helm of Monarcas Morelia.
A defining feat for Martínez
During the Liga MX’s Clausura 2017, Martínez’s Monarcas Morelia were locked in a tense relegation battle with Veracruz’s Tiburones Rojos and Chiapas’ Jaguares. Everything would be decided on the final matchday of the regular season, and on paper, Morelia seemed to have the toughest path: they had to visit Monterrey’s imposing ‘Steel Giant’, while Jaguares visited Atlas and Veracruz traveled to face Xolos.
Atlas won their match, Veracruz lost theirs, and things initially appeared to be falling into place for Martínez and his squad. Morelia struck first around the half‑hour mark and maintained the lead for most of the night - until a late penalty call went Monterrey’s way. With the clock showing 85 minutes, Dorlan Pabón buried the spot kick to level the match, and suddenly the Morelia bench wore long faces.
But they refused to fold. In the 90th minute, another cross flew into the box, and Raúl Ruidíaz rose to meet it, steering home a dramatic winner that sent the entire Morelia sideline into pure ecstasy. Monterrey, then coached by Antonio Mohamed, were left stunned on their own turf. That goal didn’t just save Morelia from relegation - it bumped Club América out of the playoff picture, snapping Las Águilas’ years‑long streak of postseason appearances and sending Morelia into the playoffs as the final qualifier.
Martínez chases another upset
Today, Martínez is hoping for a feat of similar magnitude with Club Xelajú. The tie is level at one apiece on aggregate, and the ‘Concachampions’ still uses the away‑goals rule. That means a win - or even a high‑scoring draw - would be enough to put progress squarely in Xelajú’s hands.
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