8 key Liga MX games down the stretch of Guardianes 2020

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The Tigres-América rivalry has become the best in Liga MX. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images) /

‘Clásico’ or not, América-Tigres is must-see TV

Matchday 16

No. 3 Tigres at No. 5 América

The Tigres are the hottest team in Liga MX, heading into the home stretch on a five-game win streak during which they have outscored their opponents 12-0. The insertion of playmakers Leo Fernández and Nico “Diente” López into the line-up came almost too late (coach “Tuca” Ferretti is notorious for favoring veterans over youngsters), but the Tigres offense now plays with flair. And more importantly, opponents can no longer key exclusively on striker André-Pierre Gignac.

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América is looking more and more like a triage unit such that club officials have gotten extremely defensive about its training methods and medical team. Emanuel Aguilera is on track to return for the Aguilas Matchday 15 game against Atlas, but coach Miguel Herrera will be careful about overusing him as the defender came back too early from a prior injury and suffered a setback that cost him two games.

“El Piojo” has been cobbling together his back line with midfielders and fullbacks and he’d prefer Aguilera to be available to face the Tigres. Meanwhile back-up goalie Oscar Jiménez has performed admirably in the absence of “Memo” Ochoa who was back at practice on Thursday

This could be the Liga MX Game of the Season (if not for América’s injury issues) and I’d expect this to be a very physical affair. The Tigres should have its own defensive partnership back from quarantine (Hugo Ayala and Carlos Salcedo tested positive before Matchday 14) and goalie Nahuel Guzmán has been in top form.

No. 4 Cruz Azul at No. 6 Monterrey

If the Cementeros have resolved their offensive issues, they should have the advantage over the Rayados who might be suffering from fatigue as they are facing double duty (Monterrey is playing in the two-legged Copa MX Finals, winning the first leg 1-0 Wednesday night in Tijuana).

If Cruz Azul is still finding it difficult to score, they could be in trouble as Monterrey has looked potent since forward Ake Loba was placed alongside Rogelio Funes Mori. And with lumbering Dutchman Vincent Janssen ready to add firepower off the bench, the Cementeros probably have to score to earn a point.

No. 7 Guadalajara at No. 2 UNAM

Guadalajara’s speed will be a test for the Pumas but the home team thrives on capitalizing on mistakes. If the Chivas get careless with the ball or lose their tactical shape, expect UNAM to counter quickly.

Pumas midfielder Juan Iturbe threw a fit after being substituted against Toluca on Matchday 14, and he has been an unwanted distraction in recent seasons. However, coach Andrés Lillini is a non-nonsense type and I’d expect that situation to be resolved before this game begins, perhaps even with Waller starting in his place.

The Chivas will try to exert pressure from the outset and the Pumas will look to attack on the counter with Juan Ignacio Dinneno and Carlos González testing Guadalajara’s back line. More importantly, the two games above this one on this page could allow the winner of the Pumas-Chivas match (if there is one) to secure a top seed.

No. 9 Santos at No. 1 León

The Esmeraldos might have the top seed clinched by the time this game comes around (a win at Puebla on Friday night would do it) so that could help the Guerreros, but only if coach Ignacio Ambriz decides to rest some of his starters.

Santos has gained momentum since coach Guillermo Almada settled upon Octavio Rivero as a strike partner for Julio Furch. Winger Walter Gael Sandoval also worked his way into the starting 11 and has contributed with crosses and set-up play.

León will probably have little to play for but its league-leading defense and smooth-running offense will still pose a problem for the Guerreros, regardless of who is in the line-up.

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8 key Liga MX games down the home stretch

By Thomas Buckley | Oct 23, 2020