Rayados dreaming big, but Liverpool looms

Monterrey players pose for a team photo prior to the FIFA Club World Cup match against Al-Sadd. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Monterrey players pose for a team photo prior to the FIFA Club World Cup match against Al-Sadd. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua via Getty Images)

After a big win versus Al Sadd on Saturday, Monterrey’s opponent at the Club World Cup is Liverpool.

Rayados de Monterrey put up an impressive win versus Al Sadd in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar on Saturday. Their 3-2 victory places them in the next round and although the win came at the right time for Antonio Mohamed’s team, they still have much to clean up before their semifinal match against Liverpool.

With goals from Leonel Vangioni, Carlos Rodriguez and Rogelio Funes Mori, the Rayados made it clear they aren’t in Qatar just to pass the time. They came to compete.

It’s no secret that Mohamed turned the tables around for Monterrey once he took over the team halfway through the Apertura 2019 going almost 10 consecutive games without a loss in all competitions since mid-October. Now after beating Al Sadd they will search to continue their positive streak. They’ll be chasing history too as no Mexican club team has made the Club World Cup final so many will be watching to see if they can bring down the EPL giant on Wednesday.

Rayados v Liverpool
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones take part in a training session at Qatar University stadium. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

That’s no easy task, of course. Liverpool is in first place in the Premier League with 49 points, with 16 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses, and are favored to be back-to-back winners in the UEFA Champions League. The Rayados will have to be nearly perfect and aggressive throughout the 90 minutes because Liverpool will destroy every single opportunity they are given.

Could Monterrey possibly beat this giant? Of course anything is possible but the reality is La Pandilla is far away in competition level to be as equaled as Liverpool.

The Rayados have a hard task ahead and regardless of what happens in Qatar they still have two games left in the Apertura 2019: the final versus America.

With all of this going on for the team, one simply can just applaud the attitude and dedication the entire team has shown in competing at the highest level in Liga MX and abroad.

Hopefully La Pandilla can shock the world!