León, Tigres red-hot as Liga MX hits home stretch
Two top playoff contenders heating up
The Chivas strolled past Atlas in a less-than-scintillating “Clásico Tapatío” on Saturday night, marking their fifth consecutive win in the Guadalajara derby, turning the oldest rivalry in Liga MX into a one-way affair.
Uriel Antuna got Guadalajara started with a solo move in minute 36, then dropped off a nifty feed that J.J. Macías converted just 5 minutes later. “Conejo” Brizuela pushed the lead to 3-0 in minute 85 before the Zorros knocked home two meaningless goals.
“El Rebaño Sagrado” will enter their next game against Cruz Azul on a three-game unbeaten streak, while the Cementeros have failed to score in their past three games.
Speaking of “La Máquina Azul,” Robert Siboldi’s team has fallen from first place to fourth since their last goal late in a Matchday 11 win at Mazatlán on Sept. 18.
The Cementeros have gone 281 minutes without scoring since Jonathan Rodríguez converted a penalty kick, but to find their last goal from open play you have to go back 345 minutes.
On Saturday, “Cabecita” flubbed a second-half penalty kick in a scoreless match that Cruz Azul went on to lose to the Tigres. The win boosted the Tigres into third place, their high-water mark of the Guardianes 2020.
“Los Incomparables” have won five straight in dominating fashion, outscoring their opponents during the streak 12-0. The upsurge has occurred since “Tuca” Ferretti started tinkering with his line-up, inserting young guns Leo Fernández and Nico López into the Tigres’ attack. López scored the opener for the Tigres 14 minutes after Rodríguez squandered his spot kick.
Before the Kiddie Corps was given a chance to prove themselves, the “Auriazules” had scored just 12 goals in the first 9 games of the Guardianes 2020.
Against Cruz Azul, they played without central defenders Carlos Salcedo and Hugo Ayala, both of whom contracted the coronavirus. Then skipper Guido Pizarro limped off injured just after the half-hour mark, but thanks to goalie Nahuel Guzmán, the Tigres posted their fifth consecutive shut-out.
Next. León stadium drama. dark
Forward Julián Quiñones also fell victim to Covid-19 so “Tuca” will have to rely on roster depth to continue the club’s push for a Top 4 seed.