Stefan Medina to Atlético Nacional? Merel van Dongen on Rayadas’ Mindset for Liga MX Femenil Final

Summer transfer rumors for CF Monterrey are beginning to swirl, as Stefan Medina could be returning to Colombia. Meanwhile, one key player for Rayadas is more than excited about the squad’s hopes of winning its third league title. 

Rayados fell short of reaching the 2024 Liga MX Apertura final after Cruz Azul held the tiebreaker in the 2-2 aggregate to advance. As a result, the changes to the squad are beginning so that they can overcome the hurdle of not advancing past the semifinals under manager Fernando Ortiz. 

One potential departure is Medina, as multiple reports link him to a return to Colombian side Atlético Nacional. The information suggests that the Medellín-based team has prioritized the veteran defender this summer to bolster their squad. 

Rayadas are ‘calm’ heading into the final against Club América

Monterrey’s women’s squad is in their first Liga MX Femenil final since 2021 after a convincing 6-2 aggregate win over Club Pachuca in the semifinal tie. 

Merel van Dongen is one of the leaders on this Monterrey team, and with two matches left to potentially win the league title, she recently revealed how the team is handling the situation of playing in a final against América.

“I always say, in the league, there are games where you think: ‘We’re definitely going to win,’ but in the playoffs, that doesn’t exist; they’re finals; it’s different,” van Dongen told Once Diario. “The key is being mature [and] reading the game all the time because it’s a showdown, it’s 180 minutes, and anything can happen there; América has a great team, so to win these two matches, we have to be at a very high level, but we have the confidence that we can do it…

“When I came to Mexico, I didn’t quite know what to expect, but it’s surpassed many things in a positive way. We have an incredible team. It’s another step forward, I see the club in a good place, calm, because we want to be champions. We’re delighted to reach the Final, but we want to win it.”

The first leg will be on Friday night at Estadio Azteca and the return leg will occur on Monday night at Estadio BBVA.