It is only fitting that every team involved in this year's InterLiga still has a chance to advance to the Copa Libertadores.
Pachuca sit in third place in Group A tied on three points with Veracruz. Veracruz, however, hold the tiebreaker having won the head-to-head matchup by a 3-2 score.
If the right series of events unfolds at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday night Pachuca can advance with just a draw, but head coach Jose Luis Trejo does not want to rely on anyone but his players to control their fate. A win will put Pachuca through to Sunday's final and that is the only result acceptable for Trejo.
"The group has been a very close group. It has been a real fight," Trejo said. "There's only one possibility for us in our minds and that is winning."</p>
The task at hand is a difficult one. Los Tuzos face off against Monterrey, one of the favorites to garner top honors in the InterLiga tournament. As such it does not come as a surprise that Monterrey are in first place in the group and looking for a win; not just to advance, but to advance with style.</p>
Pachuca will need to win the battle in the midfield and control the flow of the game if they are to have any chance of taming a very strong Monterrey side. Trejo has nothing but confidence and trust that his players can go out and get the job done on the field.
While Pachuca will be competing with Monterrey on the field Wednesday, they will also be competing with Veracruz and Morelia in the standings. Pachuca have a small advantage on the night, playing in the second game of the doubleheader, so they will know exactly what they need to do in order to advance to the finals. Still, don't expect that to change Trejo's strategy one bit.
"It's a possibility that could help us, but at the end of the day we always have to come out looking for a win," he said about playing in the second game.
Should Pachuca manage a win on Wednesday, they will take one step closer to the Copa Libertadores. It's a tournament that Trejo has been involved with in the past and is eager to return to.</p>
"I've had a chance to participate in two Copa Libertadores," he said. "I have always looked to get back to this tournament. My objective is to win and go through."</p>
There is no consolation for Trejo and his players in falling just shy of advancement. Pachuca proved to be one of the elite teams during league play in Mexico and have earned the right to expect nothing short of great results. They have put themselves within striking distance of that goal and now must take the next step against a very talented Monterrey side.</p>
Greg Daurio is a contributor to InterLiga.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.
