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Matchday 9: Capital Classic and Guadalajara derby

By Thomas Buckley

Pumas striker Carlos Gonzalez might find space on free kicks since rugged América defender Bruno Valdez will not be available. González scored the lone goal in UNAM's 1-0 win the last time the Clásico Capitalino was played at the CU. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Pumas striker Carlos Gonzalez might find space on free kicks since rugged América defender Bruno Valdez will not be available. González scored the lone goal in UNAM's 1-0 win the last time the Clásico Capitalino was played at the CU. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX starts heading down back stretch of Clausura 2020 schedule with two legitimate Classics headlining Week 9 slate.

Friday sees the 116th playing of Mexico City’s big rivalry game, the “Clásico Capitalino,” and the country’s oldest derby, Guadalajara vs Atlas, takes place Saturday night at the Estadio Jalisco.

The América-UNAM showdown is a must-see, not only in Mexico City, but across the nation. The Aguilas are Mexico’s second most-popular team (or most-popular, depending on who you ask) and UNAM grads can be found all across the country.

This season’s clash was moved from high noon Sunday to Friday night so that capital authorities can start preparing for Monday’s “National Women’s Strike.”

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Pumas fans and officials are not happy with the league’s decision, believing their traditional start time is an advantage.

A 2-game losing streak is never desirable, but heading into a big rivalry game on a skid is truly bad news. That’s what the Pumas are dealing with right now.

UNAM was in first place after Matchday 6, but then suffered a 2-1 home loss to Morelia before getting pounded 3-0 by the Tigres last weekend.

Coach Miguel González finds his team in fifth place now, two points behind Cruz Azul and América. The former Real Madrid star’s main concern is a suddenly-stale offense that had scored 15 goals through 6 games.

UNAM’s switch to a two-man attack (Carlos González had been a lone striker for much of the past two seasons) has not been consistently productive. At least they won’t have to deal with stout América defender Bruno Valdez who is on a red-card suspension. The Aguilas back line will also be without Santiago Caceres.

The Pumas midfield will have to cut down on mistakes. If they are not precise with their passes, América will tilt the field their way.

As for coach Miguel Herrera, his battle of wills against forward Roger Martínez has collapsed in the face of multiple injuries. Martínez had been exiled after forcefully seeking a transfer over the winter, but he might get the start against UNAM.

Playmaker Gio dos Santos might be back from injury and Andrés Ibarguen is approaching full fitness. Top striker Fernando Viñas is in fine form and UNAM will be missing central defender Luis Fernando Quintana.

Statistics suggest this will be a low-scoring game (América has just 8 goals in 8 games and is the league’s stingiest defense), but that does not mean this won’t be a high-intensity match. That in itself should ensure that this game provides plenty of fireworks.

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