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

Zorros hope to end 70-year Liga MX title drought

Yep, you read that right. Atlas has not won a Liga MX title since 1951, it’s one and only league championship. But “Los Rojinegros” are on the upturn.

The Zorros are only one year removed from serious “relegation” troubles, a situation that was relieved when they barely scraped into the playoffs last season. This year, a stingy defense (only 10 goals allowed) and a revived offense led by strike partners Julio Furch and Julián Quiñones, have turned Atlas into a legitimate contender.

Diego Cocca has won plaudits for the work he has done from the sideline and his Zorros held second place from Matchday 12 on.

Despite this, their quarterfinals opponent is considered the favorite.

Not only does Monterrey boast the biggest payroll in Liga MX ($98.2 million dollars, compared to Atlas’ $54.8 million-dollar wage packet), the Rayados are going for a double for the second time in three years. Monterrey claimed the CCL trophy in April 2019, then edged América in December for its fifth Liga MX championship.

Cocca recognizes that Monterrey not only enjoys distinct advantages on the pitch, but his coaching rival has oodles more experience.

Javier Aguirre coached in Liga MX for six years before beginning his international career, leading Mexico to two World Cups (2002, 2010), managing five different Spanish clubs across 11 seasons in La Liga, and also coaching the Japan and Egypt national teams. “El Vasco” returned to Liga MX in January.

Monterrey and Atlas have faced each three times in the playoffs with the Rayados advancing each time (Clausura 2013 – 4-3 aggregate score; Apertura 2014 – 2-1 aggregate score; and, Apertura 2017 – 6-2 result).