What did Tigres midfielder Fernando Gorriarán say about Chivas’ Mexican-only signing policy?

Ahead of his team’s Liga MX Clausura 2023 final against Chivas, Tigres midfielder Fernando Gorriarán wasn’t prepared to offer Thursday’s opponents too much praise for their policy of only signing Mexican players.

Quite the opposite, in fact, with the Uruguayan believing that facing Guadalajara is no different to any other Liga MX side. The former Santos Laguna man will be playing in his first final in Mexico having joined Los Guerreros after their Clausura 2018 victory, which just happened to be masterminded by his current boss in San Nicoláas, Robert Dante Siboldi.

The key to Tigres’ success

“Playing against Chivas is the same as playing against any other team. We know they are a big club and have a great team. They’ve just been through a really difficult tie against Club América, which is their ‘Clásico’, so they’ll be full of confidence. But we know what we need to do to come out on top”.

“The manager’s powers of persuasion have been vital for us. Making the whole roster feel as if they have important roles to play is crucial and is something that manager has been able to achieve. It’s not just about those who start the game but also those who come on. They’re making a big difference and I think that’s important in any good team”.

Tigres and Chivas’ title droughts

Gorriarán started all but one of Tigres’ 17 regular season Liga MX matches, missing the victory over Atlético San Luis through suspension. The 28-year-old is again expected to be an important cog in Siboldi’s side as they look to lift their first title since the Clausura 2019 tournament. Chivas, however, haven’t lifted silverware since 2017, when they also won the Clausura.