Rayados’ Fernando Ortiz Takes Blame for Loss to Cruz Azul; Tecatito Corona Update

CF Monterrey put forth an underwhelming performance in their 2-1 loss to Cruz Azul on Sunday night at Estadio BBVA. Furthermore, the result marked Rayados’ third straight loss. 

Fernando Ortiz’s squad fell behind after an error by goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. Additionally, this marked the fifth time in seven games that Monterrey fell behind an opponent and needed to chase the game.

The team has been able to crawl out of holes, such as against the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Football Club. Nonetheless, the Cruz Azul match again showed the warts on the team, and Ortiz is taking responsibility for the team’s performance. 

“The quick analysis, honestly, is that I didn’t like how we played,” Ortiz told reporters Sunday (h/t Diario AS). “I’m responsible. We had chances to tie. I didn’t like it. When I do a quick analysis, I do it generally; in general, I didn’t like it. At times, we were able to play well. 

“We played open with the full-backs … [But] it wasn’t as clear as we thought we had been playing. I was expecting this Cruz Azul team to counterattack, to have chances in specific plays in which they were effective. We did not. We lost. You have to accept defeat.”

Ortiz must put the loss behind him and prepare his squad for two matches this week. Rayados will travel to Estadio Nemesio Díez to face Toluca FC on Wednesday. Then Monterrey will head on the road again this weekend to face CD Guadalajara at Estadio Akron.

Is Rayados moving in a positive direction with the Tecatito Corona file?

If Monterrey’s loss to Cruz Azul showed anything, the Mexican club needs reinforcements. After landing Sergio Canales, Rayados hasn’t added much else, and now they have until Sept. 13 to finish addressing any needs. 

One file that many supporters hope can get done is the file of Sevilla’s Jesús “Tecatito” Corona. The 30-year-old has barely seen any minutes with the Spanish club in this 2023–24 season. Now, the question is whether Monterrey can get this transfer over the finish line.

Monterrey president José Antonio Noriega spoke with reporters before the loss to Cruz Azul, indicating that he had positive feelings on the subject and that the file is on the right track.

“I believe that progress has been made,” Noriega told reporters Sunday (h/t ABC Deportes). “Yes, I do believe that we are on the right track, but on other occasions, I have told you, and I repeat, sorry for being repetitive, the phrase from the plate to the mouth falls into the soup, and it is the truth.

“When you believe that you have something in your hands, but that it does not depend on you, when you end up losing in a negotiation, especially involving human beings, suddenly things can change, but my feeling is positive, and I told you, let’s go for good path, I would believe.”