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Liga MX: No. 1 América, No. 2 Atlas take to road in Liguilla

By Thomas Buckley

Alvaro Fidalgo (left) will be called on to quarterback the América attack against an improving Pumas defense. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Alvaro Fidalgo (left) will be called on to quarterback the América attack against an improving Pumas defense. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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The loss of Pedro Aquino could prove to be significant for the top-seeded Aguilas who will be without their midfield bulldog the entirety of the playoffs. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Aguilas hope to continue ‘Clásico Capitalino’ dominance

América management was furious with the South American team since Aquino – América’s midfield general – had missed the final three Liga MX games plus the CCL final before Peru summoned him for World Cup qualifiers.

Regardless of who is available, coach Santiago Solari knows the Aguilas are not allowed to lose to the Pumas. In fact, his job could be in jeopardy if the Pumas pull off the upset.

América always wants to win the “Clásico Capitalino” of course, but as the top seed it would be unforgivable to lose to the No. 11 seed. In addition, “Los AzulCremas” were knocked out in a huge quarterfinals upset last season, Solari’s first in charge, and he is aware of the ultimatum from ownership – win the Liga MX title, or else.

The top-seeded Aguilas have been perched on top of the Liga MX table since Matchday 3 while the Pumas finished 14 points off the pace with a –6 goal differential. In contrast, América completed its schedule with a +11 differential thanks to a Liga MX best 10 goals allowed.

The last time UNAM defeated their Mexico City rivals was on Feb. 17, 2019, a 1-0 win at the Estadio Universitario, the site of tonight’s contest.

The most recent “Clásico Capitalino” in the playoffs was a 7-2 beatdown in the Apertura 2018 semifinals, highlighted by a 6-1 rout in Estadio Azteca in the second leg, a game in which six different Aguilas scored.

The two Mexico City rivals had also squared off a season earlier, this time in the quarterfinals but with the same result: América celebrating after romping past the Pumas 6-2, including a 4-1 whipping in the CU in the first leg.

The tables were turned in the Apertura 2015 as the top-seeded Pumas knocking out No. 6 América in the semifinals by a 4-3 aggregate score line.

This will be the fourth time we get to see a “Clásico Capitalino” in the quarterfinals with América winning all three earlier series.

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