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CF Monterrey defeated Club Pubela 2-0 on Saturday night at the Estadio BBVA to start the 2024 Clausura tournament on the right foot with three points. However, before the match, the home crowd welcomed most of the squad to boos.
The team had a disappointing showing in the 2023 Apertura Liguilla, scoring only one goal over 180 minutes and crashing out to Atletico San Luis in the quarterfinals. As a result, the supporters told the squad they hadn’t forgotten what happened.
Nonetheless, in his postgame scrum with reporters, manager Fernando “Tano” Ortiz noted that he wants to turn the boos into cheers.
“In relation to the booing regarding the fans, I understand that they are hurt,” Ortiz said after the win (h/t ABC Deportes). “We will strive, game after game, to bring back the excitement.
“That is one of the goals we have from now on. I understand it, I respect it, and I will always try to turn those boos into happiness. I want the team to be a representation of the fans.”
Fernando ‘Tano’ Ortiz is happy about the win over Puebla
Regarding the result, the Argentine boss was happy with the win despite the team having a scoreless first half. Alfonso “Ponchito” González opened the scoring, and Germán Berterame added the insurance goal in stoppage time.
“The important thing is what we won,” Ortiz added. “The important thing is what we could win at home, and the important thing was that we played a good match. I haven’t seen it yet, but in general terms, with the possibility that they could equalize against us.”