Cruz Azul, Tigres prep for upcoming Liga MX season

Will coach Ferretti give free rein to Leo Fernández?

The Tigres’ biggest enemy might be complacency after emerging from the 2010s as the Liga MX Team of the Decade. “Tuca” Ferretti led the club to five titles in 10 seasons, the last trophy hoisted in May 2019.

Since that championship, the Tigres have failed to impress. The club settled for 8 draws during the Apertura 2019 (stringing together 7 in a row) then were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Last season, “Los Felinos” won only 4 of their 10 games before play was suspended.

Coach Ferretti is known as a taskmaster but the question is: Have his players begun to tune him out?

The Tigres are a veteran squad who know Tuca’s tactical requirements by heart. But that’s when complacency becomes a threat, especially since the team’s approach is conservative. The deliberate style and emphasis on defense can lull both teams to sleep, and after so much success it can be difficult for a team to maintain the intensity and concentration necessary to implement the strategy successfully.

Nahuel Guzmán remains a top-notch goalie, but the back line is becoming creaky. Hugo Ayala is 33, Francisco Meza is coming off a knee injury and Carlos Salcedo seemed to be averaging one gaffe per game last season. Diego Reyes has yet to recapture the form that saw him leave for Europe in 2013 at age 21.

At fullback, “Chaka” Rodríguez often appears uninspired (his lazy back pass led to a key goal for Atlas on Sunday) and Jesús Dueñas has lost a step at 31. In midfield, Guido Pizarro and Rafa Carioca are a solid double pivot, but at 30 and 31, respectively, they are getting a bit long in the tooth.

In attack, the Tigres are very Gignac-dependent and if the Frenchmen does not deliver a bit of genius, the team struggles to score. Winger Javier Aquino still has some flair but injuries have robbed him of the quickness that made him so dangerous.

Luis and Julián Quiñones (no relation) provide speed and skill but newcomer Leo Fernández will be called upon to be a difference-maker. “Tuca” is loath to rely on youngsters, but he might have no choice but to turn the shifty Uruguayan youngster loose up front.

Fernández, 21, spent last season on loan with Toluca where he showed flashes of brilliance, scoring 8 goals in 10 games. He has offered glimpses of his playmaking abilities in the Cup, gift-wrapping two goals for Gignac with splendid assists.

If Fernández and Gignac develop a deeper understanding, the Tigres could discover the offensive spark lacking the past two seasons. If not, it could be a long season for Felinos fans.