After falling to Club Tigres in the semifinals of the 2023 LIGA MX Clausura Playoffs, CF Monterrey has a chance for revenge in the Leagues Cup 2023 round of 16. Both clubs advanced out of the group stage and won their round of 32 matches to set up a Clásico Regio for a spot in the quarterfinals
But on Saturday that excitement was tempered with some club news from Rayados. Following the team’s 1-0 win over Portland Timbers, the team confirmed that Germán Berterame was injured.
After meeting with team doctors, it was confirmed that Berterame suffered a fracture in his left foot and would have to undergo surgery.
Berterame is already back on his way to Mexico where he will begin working with specialists for his recovery for the remainder of the year. It’s estimated he could be out 2-3 months.
The player expected to replace Berterame
Berterame had become a critical part of the club for Rayados coach Fernando Ortíz and replacing him for the remainder of the tournament will be a headache for the manager,
Berterame scored five goals in three matches, standing out with a brace against Real Salt Lake and a hat trick against the Seattle Sounders.
The most likely to replace Berterame is Rogelio Fuenes Mori, who hasn’t played well recently..
Mori has been struggling to score recently, but fans have continued to believe in him because of his past and his position as the club’s all-time leading scorer.
A new opportunity for Funes Mori
Rogelio will start not only because of the Berterame injury, but also because Rodrigo Aguirre suffered a muscle tear in his left leg in the club’s first Leagues Cup match. He will be out until at least the final, should the team make it that far.
Mori began the tournament on the bench against Real Salt Lake but came on in the 24th minute for Aguirre. He started the next match, but didn’t play well enough and was subbed out of the match in the 46th minute.
In the round of 32 against the Portland TImber, he was back on the bench and subbed in for Jordi Cortizo in the 76th minute. But he didn’t make much of an impact or have any scoring opportunities.
Funes Mori's streak against Club Tigres
The stiker will need to fight to get out of his current form and to break a goaless streak against Tigires. He’s gone 992 minutes without scoring a goal against the Clásico Regio rivals. Can he break the streak?
