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Who’s booking spots in the Liga MX semifinals?

By Thomas Buckley

Cristián Calderón prepares to unleash his game-winning shot in minute 81 of Wednesday's Super Clásico. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Cristián Calderón prepares to unleash his game-winning shot in minute 81 of Wednesday's Super Clásico. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Super Clásico highlights Saturday calendar

Promising plenty of drama, this weekend features a pair of playoff double-headers that will determine the four Liga MX semifinalists. And there could be a few surprises.

The midweek, first-leg games spotlighted goalkeepers as Puebla’s Nicolás Vikonis, Guadalajara’s Raúl Gudiño and Cruz Azul’s Jesús Corona stood on their heads. Vikonis frustrated the potent León offense with 6 saves, Gudiño blanked América (several of his 7 saves were spectacular) and Corona stood tall against a Tigres’ barrage.

Odds are that strikers and wingers will play a more predominant role this weekend (we’re looking at you Angel Mena, Uriel Antuna, Federico Viñas, Sebastián Córdova and Víctor Dávila).

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Top-seeded León hosts Puebla in Saturday’s first quarterfinal and the heavily favored Esmeraldas must overcome a 2-1 deficit. There’s little doubt but that coach Juan Reynoso will park the bus and try to protect the slim advantage with Omar Fernández, Santi Ormeño and Christián Tabó poised to pounce on counterattacking opportunities.

León skipper Luis Montes must have a productive game to avoid the upset. The No. 12 seed Camoteros effectively bottled him up at Estadio Cuauhtémoc on Wednesday, but look for “Chapo” to confirm his MVP credentials in this second leg.

The absence of left back Yairo Moreno is a disappointment for coach Ignacio Ambriz (the Colombian has been ruled out for the entire “Liguilla”), but Jean Meneses and the afore-mentioned Mena are more than capable of stepping up their games.

The Esmeraldas would have to win by two goals if Puebla scores (the away-goals rule) so keeper Rodolfo Cota must be prepared to face a break-out or two. Puebla will be deliberate and disciplined, but León is simply too good to bet against here.

Following the expected Esmeraldas victory, all eyes will turn to Estadio Azteca and a Liga MX “Super Clásico.” The visiting Chivas hold a slim 1-0 lead and a tie will be enough for the No. 7 seeded “Goats” to knock out the fourth-seeded Aguilas.

América coach Miguel Herrera was rightly criticized for his conservative approach to the first-leg match and he’ll have a more offensive-minded starting line-up this time around. Striker Federico Viñas had not played since Oct. 24 when he came on as a sub at Estadio Akron in minute 63. The burly Uruguayan was stricken by coronavirus on Oct. 28 and missed the team’s final two games of the Guardianes 2020.

In the absence of Leo Suárez and Roger Martínez (both tested positive for Covid-19 last week), playmaking midfielder Nico Benedetti will likely see more action and the enigmatic Andrés Ibarguen could get an early summons off the bench.

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Chivas coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich got great news the day after his club’s huge win over their hated rivals in the first leg. It seems that Alexis Vega has made a spectacular recovery from his ankle injury that was supposed to keep him out of action for the entire “Liguilla.” The shifty forward has been fitted with an ankle sleeve and is willing to accept an injection to provide a few minutes in Estadio Azteca, if his talents are needed.

Vega’s availability is key since Guadalajara’s other striker, J.J. Macías, is still not fully fit after a setback during a rehab workout. And midfield playmaker Jesús Angulo came off Wednesday in minute 72 with a thigh injury that could keep him out at least another week.

Vucetich might need a few minutes of offense from Vega since he has a short bench (four players were dismissed for violating team rules), but the burden will fall on Gudiño again and the defensive pairing in front of him – Hiram Mier and Gilberto Sepúlveda.

Sunday’s Liga MX playoff double-header

The second-seeded Pumas welcome No. 9 Pachuca to campus at high noon after another steady defensive display helped produce a 1-0 advantage for the return match.

Back-up goalie Julio González played quite well for UNAM though Pachuca’s shooting was dreadfully inaccurate. The Tuzos seemed to have the tactics right but their execution was sub-par. Pachuca suffered from poor first touches, lousy passing and dubious decision-making.

Some have questioned coach Paulo Pezzolano’s line-up choices (his first sub was a fullback for a midfielder, and he did not insert leading scorer Dávila until minute 63), but considerable blame falls on the shoulders of Erick Aguirre and Víctor Guzmán (taken off for Dávila), both of whom turned in sub-par performances.

The Pumas, on the other hand, hustled throughout and pounced when they got an early chance. Favio Alvarez took a return pass from Juan Pablo Vigón and rifled a shot into the side netting to the right of a diving Oscar Ustari.

UNAM carried out to perfection the classic “bend-but-don’t break” defensive philosophy, holding the Tuzos to two shots on goal (much of that due to Pachuca’s profligacy). The Pumas will have to be tactically disciplined, but they’ve been opportunistic and resilient all season.

Pachuca, meanwhile, must find a way to defeat UNAM, something only one other Liga MX team has done all season (a 2-0 loss at León on Sept. 21).

The weekend finale also takes place at Estadio Azteca (three of the four weekend matches take place in Mexico City) where No. 4 Cruz Azul welcomes the sixth-seeded Tigres in a grudge match for the last semifinal spot.

The host Cementeros look to protect a 2-goal lead but hope to avoid the constant pressure they experienced at “El Volcán” on Thursday night. The Tigres enjoyed 72% possession and let fly 17 shots (6 on target), but got burned by the quick-strike Cruz Azul attack.

Next. Club Puebla, giant-killers. dark

The Tigres must score at least 3 goals to have a chance, but in doing so they might leave gaps at the back. That means goalie Nahuel Guzmán might have to win a few 1-on-1s or “La Máquina Azul” will be a semifinalist.

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