Giovani dos Santos has plenty of experience of playing for Mexico throughout his career, but on Wednesday, the LA Galaxy midfielder will face off against Mexican opposition for the first time.
Dos Santos and the Galaxy will face Santos Laguna in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series. The match will be Dos Santos' first official game against a Mexican opponent, and his first since he appeared in preseason friendlies against Mexican opposition during FC Barcelona's preseason tour of the United States back in 2006.
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"I am very motivated. It's going to be a game that's very special, at least for me personally. It's the first time I play against a Mexican team and I we are really looking forward to the season kicking off. Personally, it's an important game. I am Mexican and it's the first time I'm facing a Mexican club in official competition and it will be very special," Dos Santos told reporters on Tuesday. "Playing at home is very important. The fans' support is very important. We need to take the lead tomorrow and not concede any goals and have a good advantage ahead of the return leg."
With the Galaxy facing an arduous trip to Torreón in the second leg, Dos Santos believes that the Galaxy offense must come through if Los Angeles is going to advance.
"I expect that we can win this game. I know some players from Santos and know that they're a good side," Dos Santos said. "We're going to have to work hard and give them a good game because we want to win this game at home.
