Can Chivas handle wounded Aguilas in Liga MX derby?
Aguilas injury report continues to grow
América must compete for each and every trophy; fans and management demand it. Coach Miguel Herrera knows his seat is always hot regardless of his record.
The truth of that statement is reflected in the fact that he just recently set the all-time record for most wins by an Aguilas coach yet he is the target of a vocal social media campaign that wants him fired.
“El Piojo” might be feeling the pressure a bit because this week he complained about the schedule that has América playing its three “Clásicos” back-to-back-to-back. After the Super Clásico against the Chivas, the Aguilas face Cruz Azul in the Junior Classic followed immediately by the hostilities of the Clásico Capitalino against the Pumas.
“El Piojo” has enjoyed success in each of his club’s three Liga MX derbies over the years (he wouldn’t have lasted long on the job if he hadn’t), but it’s hard to see how whining about the calendar helps his wounded team.
Two more players came up lame during Saturday’s match vs Toluca. Striker Federico Viñas tweaked a knee and is questionable for the Super Clásico, while back-up striker Roger Martínez wrenched an ankle and is doubtful.
That leaves Henry Martín – the club’s leading scorer with 5 – alone up front. Wingers Andrés Ibarguen and Gio dos Santos could be called upon to step up, but both have struggled with fitness issues. Ibarguen just came off the injury report last week but did not see action against Toluca, while Gio is still not ready for a full 90 minutes.
Herrera will no doubt have to rely upon his midfield playmakers but there are knocks and niggling injuries aplenty there as well. Nico Benedetti saw action in the past two Liga MX games after seven months of rehab following February knee surgery and Leo Suárez has struggled to find playing time after a late July thigh muscle strain.
Perhaps wonder boy Sebastián Córdova could get back into Herrera’s good graces by simple process of elimination. The América academy product was a popular pick to head to Europe this summer before the pandemic closed pocketbooks.
Most pundits saw Córdova playing a big role in the Guardianes 2020 as he had been shown steady progress since making his Liga MX debut (while on loan at Necaxa) in August 2018. The native of Aguascalientes was the Man of the Match in the previous Super Clásico, scoring twice in América’s 4-1 win over the Chivas on Sept. 28, 2019.
However, Córdova appears to be in Herrera’s doghouse as his playing time has diminished considerably. “El Piojo” has not revealed any reasons for benching the midfielder, though he is fond of saying “I’ll start the players that are in the best form.” There is speculation that the 24-year-old is down after seeing his chances of moving to Europe evaporate and there have been reports of Córdova showing a bad attitude on the training grounds.
Whatever the situation, Saturday’s Classic would be a great opportunity to revive his European dreams.