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“The emotions early on are going to be big,” Vanney said. “What will be interesting is, over the course of this game, how much energy their players have. They’re going through a lot of games; A lot of travel themselves.”

Club America drew 1-1 with Necaxa in league play Saturday while the Reds were already in Pachuca preparing for Tuesday’s return leg. Las Aguilas might have lost Cecilio Domínguez (hamstring) in the process.

“That’s why I think a goal or two goals will really break the spirit of that team. At their best, they’re a super-high energy, high-pressing, go-for-it kind of team. If we can take them out of that game and flip the script and create some things on the attacking side we can take some of the steam out of it.”

Vanney said he didn’t think Club America’s weekend performance was as lively as what he saw during last week’s opening leg at BMO Field – something that could signal fatigue given Club America’s fixture list.

“We want to be able to manage the game but still find our moments where we don’t have to defend for 90 minutes,” Vanney said. “There’s going to be stretches where we need to create our blocks and protect our goal … but it would be good for us if we can find our stretches to have the ball a little bit and try and rest in possession. Their objective is going to be to try and make this game as open and as fast as possible.”