SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League finalists Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica and Motagua FC of Honduras each face tough tests in domestic action on Saturday prior to Tuesday’s SCL Final second leg.

Saprissa earned a 1-0 win in the first leg of the 2019 SCL Final thanks to a goal from Johan Venegas and have carried the momentum from Concacaf play into their domestic campaign.

The Monstruo Morado finished the regular season with a 12W-4D-6L record, with 50 goals scored and 30 conceded, good for second place in the Costa Rican 2019 Apertura table.

Now, Saprissa will face 2018 SCL champions Herediano in the semifinals prior to the second leg against the Catrachos in Honduras.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Saprissa Head Coach Walter Centeno expressed confidence that his players will be ready for the major tests that are ahead.

“They are professional players, and one should always be prepared for everything,” said Centeno. “We have worked to reach the final and we are there,” added Centeno.

For Motagua, their domestic postseason in the Honduran Pentagonal starts with a clash against Marathon. 

Head Coach Diego Vazquez’s side completed the regular season in third place in the Apertura table with a 9W-4D-5L mark, with 39 goals scored and 17 conceded.

“We are working on dual objectives, and so we are focused on what is coming next,” said Vazquez in a press conference this week.

This is the second straight SCL final for Motagua FC and the first for Saprissa.