MEXICO CITY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Tigres UANL midfielder Fernando Gorriaran has played down suggestions that his team faces pressure to defend its Liga MX title ahead of Thursday's Apertura semifinal first leg against Pumas UNAM.

Tigres are hoping to become only the fourth team in history to win back-to-back Liga MX trophies, having clinched the 2023 Clausura title last May.

"More than pressure, it is motivation," Gorriaran, who has been capped seven times for Uruguay's national team, told reporters on Wednesday.

"We don't feel pressure at any time because we are doing what we love and we are fighting for a dream which is to achieve consecutive league titles."

Thursday's clash in Mexico City will be followed by the return leg in Monterrey on Sunday. The winner on aggregate will play either San Luis or Club America in the final, also to be played over two legs on December 14 and 17.

Another triumphant campaign would see Tigres emulate Pumas (2004), Leon (2013-2014) and Atlas (2021-2022) as the only teams to successfully defend their Mexican top-flight crowns.

"Against Pumas we have to back ourselves and stick to what has made us successful throughout the season," Gorriaran said.

"We have a solid game play that the manager [Robert Siboldi] has implemented. We have to put our faith in that and not veer off the script," he added. Enditem

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