Fernando Gorriarán says Tigres UANL are ready to be protagonists again in the Apertura, even if the start of the tournament comes with real complications. On Wednesday, the midfielder pointed to the team’s renewed ambition ahead of Thursday’s opener against Tijuana, while also acknowledging that important absences will make the early weeks more difficult.
Tigres are entering the tournament as one of the favorites to dispute the title, but they do so after a mixed recent stretch. In May, they lost the Concacaf final against Toluca, and before the Apertura they were eliminated by Guadalajara in the Clausura quarterfinals. Gorriarán said the group is still focused on the good work it has done and believes that remains the base for this semester.
What Gorriarán said about Tigres' outlook
Gorriarán described the missing players as tough losses, both on the field and emotionally. He said it is hard because, beyond their quality, they are also important people inside the group. Still, his message was clear: Tigres must keep moving forward and give their best.
He added that the team has a renewed desire to reach the final stages of the tournament. That matters for a squad that is expected to compete at the top, but will have to do so while managing uncertainty around its attack and leadership core.
The absences and the possible loss of Ángel Correa
Among the main concerns is the possible loss of Ángel Correa, whom Gorriarán called a class A player. The two are roommates, and he said they have spoken a lot during preseason. The hope inside the camp is that Tigres do not feel Correa’s absence, but the possibility remains part of the build-up.
Tigres also enter the Apertura without André Pierre Gignac, their leader over the last 10 years. That is a major absence for any team, especially one that has built much of its recent identity around his influence. Marcelo Flores and Jesús Angulo are also part of the personnel uncertainty that affects the squad’s depth.
A difficult start on Thursday
Gorriarán expects a hard opener on Thursday in Tijuana, calling it a difficult field where the rival is strong. He said Tigres will face a tough beginning to the championship, but also described it as a good test. For a team with title expectations, the first match will immediately show how well the group can absorb the absences and still stay competitive.
That is the larger question for Tigres in this Apertura. The squad still has the profile of a contender, and Gorriarán’s comments reflect confidence rather than panic. But with Gignac unavailable and Correa’s situation unresolved, Tigres must prove quickly that their renewed ambition can hold up once the tournament begins.
