CF Montreal out for revenge
CF Montreal will look to avenge past failure against the same Liga MX side that knocked them out of the CONCACAF Champions League 13 years ago.
Santos Laguna were down 4-3 on aggregate with a trip to the semi-finals on the line. In stoppage time, the Liga MX side broke the hearts of CF Montreal scoring at the death, sending the Estadio Corona into a frenzy.
𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒐́𝒏, 𝑴𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒄𝒐 🇲🇽#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/bCkf9l4ADy
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) February 15, 2022
On Tuesday, Montreal – making its fifth appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League – will kick off its 2022 campaign with a Round of 16 matchup away to Santos Laguna in the first of two contests against the Liga MX club.
The return match is on Feb. 22 in Montreal.
In the Canadian Championship final, on their home soil Saputo Stadium, CF Montreal defeated archrivals Toronto FC 1-0 to lift the Voyageurs Cup and earn a trip the 2022 edition of the Champions League.
Santos Laguna is five games into the Liga MX season. In the Apertura 2021 season, Santos finished with a respectable 24 points in 17 games, placing 5th in the table.
However, it has been a tale of two different seasons for Santos in the Clausura 2022. Five games in, they are winless and have suffered four defeats. The defense has been a bit leaky to say the least, conceding 13 goals in those five games.
Besides Santos Laguna having home field advantage and the sweltering heat conditions (it is expected to be 67˚F º– 19˚C) they are in game shape, despite their subpar performances. That is something that can’t be said for CF Montreal. The Canadian side have played a few preseason games and must shake off the rust quickly if they want a shot at grabbing points at the Estadio Corona.