Stefan Medina: “Rayados have the best squad in Mexico”
Monterrey have enjoyed two excellent campaigns but ended without a title and Colombian Stefan Medina says they have no margin for error.
The biggest challenge facing Rayados in the Apertura 2023 is none other than winning the championship. That’s the goal for a club who believe they have the best squad in Mexico. The feeling inside the Albiazul back offices is one of revenge - after just missing out on the title in the last two tournaments with the team eliminated in the semi-finals, they hope this time it will be third time lucky.
Colombian defender Stefan Medina is hopeful that Monterrey can go up a level in the Aprtura 2023: “We have the best squad in Mexico, without any doubt,” he claimed this week. What he was actually referring to was the younger players who are starting to emerge and have been continuing their development alongside the albiazul senior side during the pre-season.
“Expectations are high. Of course, after the season we’ve just had. It was a positive year, and hopefully this year the team can continue to believe again. Ultimately, the plan is it is to reach the final stage in the best shape possible, it’s when we are at our best that we can boost our chances of achieving the main objective, which is winning the championship,” the defender added.
Reinforcements needed?
Rayados make their Apertura 2023 debut against Atlético San Luis in just a few days’ time, but there have been few reinforcements to the squad, which is a major concern for fans. While some supporters are getting nervous with the lack of new arrivals, Medina insists it’s quite normal, and that the club will eventually strengthen the squad where it sees fit - as it always seeks to improve on the previous group of players.
“Here you have to live day by day. The reality is that an institution like Monterrey seeks to improve its squad tournament after tournament. Those of us who are here now, have to enjoy it and take advantage of every opportunity that is given to us. Hopefully the team mates who have options to leave remain totally focused in the day-to-day work and do their job as they have been doing. It is simply that, enjoying the team we have, the club we play for and to be able to improve day by day,” he added.
The Monterrey squad completed their second session of the week ahead of the start of the Apertura 2023. Rodrigo Aguirre has been training as normal despite interest from Toluca.
Keep improving
Medina concluded, “Personally, I think we’re very privileged to be at this training camp - having colleagues of the highest level, each one in their positions. That makes competition for a place even tougher. We know that at a club like Monterrey, our fans demand improvements after every tournament. That makes it much more interesting.”