Sebastián Córdova believes Tigres can upset “favourites” América in Liga MX Apertura 2023 playoffs

Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 playoffs are just days away from getting underway, with Tigres heading into the liguilla as defending champions. Midfielder Sebastián Córdova, however, sees Club América as favourites to win the Mexican top flight’s latest title. The mind games have begun.

Tigres “always in contention” in Liga MX playoffs

The 26-year-old, who started his career with Las Águilas, admits his former club were the strongest team during the league phase. However, he also believes Los Auriazules have as good a chance as any other side of upsetting América due to their greater experience of playing in the playoffs.

“I don’t know if Tigres are one of the big favourites, but we are always in contention in the liguilla, we’ve won many titles in recent years. Maybe América is the favourite because of how they performed in the league, but I know that I came to play for a team that knows how to play in the playoffs. We are very experienced and we want a second successive title,” Córdova said at a sponsor’s event.

Córdova’s goalscoring heroics in Clausura 2023

Tigres will face Pubela in the quarter-finals, with the first leg to be played on 29 or 30 November. The midfielder believes his team is in good spirits ahead of the start of the liguilla and is aware he is under extra pressure to perform after scoring six goals in seven matches as La U de Nuevo León lifted the trophy at the end of the Clausura 2023.

“Yesterday we had a meeting and we all know what we want. There was a toast and we are all focused on the same thing - becoming two-time champions. That’s something that really unites us. There could be pressure on me, because I set the bar very high last time. I played in a liguilla with América and I never did what I did here. I’ve watched it back again and again and I think it was a great liguilla. I want to do it again,” he added.

Tigres unfazed by possible Monterrey revenge

Córdova is unfazed by the prospect of another potential playoffs match-up against Monterrey, who finished ahead of Tigres in the league but have lost each of the last four end-of-season meetings between the teams.

“Rayados finished the season really well and if we have to play them in the semi-finals, they will be our for revenge. We’ll see who gets to the final.” Córdova scored the second-leg winner when the sides faced off in the last four of the Clausura 2023 having also netted in a 1-1 draw in the first leg.