For anyone that doesn't know, Tigres spent big in June and so by the time their Copa Libertadores Semi-Final against Internacional came round they were a much stronger proposition that they had been in previous rounds.
Having narrowly defeated Emelec of Ecuador, the Mexicans faced an Internacional side who were favorites to progress to the final, especially after taking a 2-1 lead from the first leg in the Estadio Beira-Rio in Brazil.
The Tigres team that night included their new signings, Frenchman Andre Pierre Gignac and Mexicans Jurgen Damm and Javier Aquino. Despite managing to score, Tigres were unable to perform fully on a humid night in Porto Alegre.
Seven days later, however, Tigres were more than ready for their Brazilian opponents in the second leg in Monterrey. Their new signings shone brightly, the Brazilians were completely outclassed and easily defeated with a final result of 3-1. Tigres had made their first Libertadores final.
Naturally for many, Tigres' big spending and their new mercenaries were the reason for their success, and it is true that Gignac opened the scoring that night for the Mexicans and Auqino and Damm were equally impressive.
Despite the headlines, however, the Copa Libertadores is a long campaign and Tigres have had to fight for their right to reach the latter stages. In tonight's Final first leg against River Plate, the Argentines will be up against a team with more than just one or two big name players.
Gignac will be the focus of Tigres' attacks, but with three players having already scored four times in this year´s Copa Libertadores, the Monterrey side will be no one man show.
Rafael Sobis, Enrique Esqueda and Joffre Guerron have all netted regularly for Tigres on their journey to the final and coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti will be boosted not just by his star names finding form but the depth of availability he has throughout his squad.
Tigres will be boosted by the availability of American midfielder Jose Torres and key Brazilian defender Juninho who were both influential in Tigres' top spot finish in the Liga MX Clausura last year.
Torres will bring bite to the Tigres midfield and will look to launch attacks alongside his Uruguayan midfield partner Egidio Arvalo Rios.
Juninho, however, is the perhaps biggest boost for Tigres as the Brazilian is the heart and soul of the team . Having recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon he adds both a defensive solidity to the Tigres backline as well as possessing an aerial threat at the other end from set pieces.
Tigres may also welcome back returning Mexican internationals Jorge Torres Nilo and Jesus Duenas who fresh from their successful Gold Cup campaign with El Tri, could slot straight back into the Tigres team.
Tigres may have made headlines with their June signings, but if they are to make history in becoming the first ever Mexican side to win the Copa Libertadores they will need more than just their big name players.
But as the two teams emerge onto the field of the Estadio Universitario the stadium, known as EL Volcan, will be in full voice to support a team that it knows is full of quality and fully prepared to make history.
River Plate vs Tigres Copa Libertadores Final Second-Leg Preview, TV Links, Live Stream HERE
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