Saturday Spotlight: First two Clásicos of AP2022 on tap

Mexico City and Guadalajara will be the scenes for two giant rivalry matches tonight as the “Clásico Capitalino” and “Clásico Tapatío” take center stage.

After the León-Mazatlán match kicks of Liga MX activities, all eyes will shift to the UNAM campus where the Pumas will host América in a must-win game for both teams.

As soon as that game ends, attention will be focused on Estadio Akron in the Jalisco capital as the winless Chivas go to war against two-time defending Liga MX champions Atlas.

Saturday’s other scheduled game – Pachuca at FC Juárez – was canceled after two days of drug cartel violence in the border city.

Desperation defines Mexico City derby

Preseason title favorites América sits in 15th place (with a game in hand) and coach Fernando Ortiz was on a very hot seat until a Henry Martín brace allowed the Aguilas to pull out a 2-1 win over FC Juárez last week.

Ownership is not keen on repeating last season’s journey to the Liga MX playoffs (“los AzulCremas” were in last place after 8 matches before catching fire down the stretch and stealing a Top 4 seed only to be routed in the semifinals).

It has been four years since América last won a Liga MX title and patience is wearing thin.

The Pumas, on the other hand, were huge overachievers last season, reaching the Concacaf Champions League Final then qualifying for a Liga MX wildcard on the final day of the season, despite a very thin bench.

Significant investments have given coach Andrés Lillini some shiny new toys on offense and Pumas fans expect nothing more than a deep run in the playoffs. And there were flashes of brilliance up front, even before the stunning acquisition of Dani Alves on July 23.

UNAM is the lone undefeated team in Liga MX after six matches, but “los felinos” have but one win, leaving them adrift in 10th place. The Pumas have a game in hand as they postponed their Matchday 7 contest to take part in Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Trophy match, a contest that saw them outclassed and embarrassed. The team was ridiculed for its performance and players criticized for lining up to have their photo taken with Xavi before the opening whistle.

Tonight’s Liga MX clash will be the 121st regular-season Capital Derby. América holds the advantage with 43 wins to UNAM’s 30 victories, while 47 games have ended in a draw. Their previous meeting – on Feb. 26 and also in the CU – ended in a scoreless draw.

Liga MX champs visit crosstown rivals

The Chivas are in disarray and coach Ricardo Cadena has one foot out the door. GM Ricardo Peláez is also close to being pink-slipped.

“El Rebaño Sagrado” is one of two winless teams in Liga MX, sitting second from bottom with an 0-5-2 record and a listless offense (just 4 goals scored).

Making matters worse, Alexis Vega – Guadalajara’s most dangerous player – came home from the Liga MX-MLS Al-Star Game with tired legs. Despite only playing 45 minutes in Minnesota on Wednesday, Vega is questionable for tonight’s derby.

Atlas is paying the price for two lengthy playoff runs in a row, off to a slow start in the Apertura 2022. The Zorros have had fitness issues – skipper Aldo Rocha could be out of action with a thigh injury for another month – and find themselves in 14th place in the Liga MX table.

Their impregnable defense has sprung some leaks. “Los Rojinegros” conceded just 10 goals during the Apertura 2021 season and only 15 goals last season. Through seven games this season, Atlas has already allowed 11 goals.

Five Zorros were with Vega as Liga MX All-Stars, but none of them have reported fitness issues.

These two Guadalajara clubs met during the Liga MX playoffs last season, the Zorros advancing en route to their second consecutive championship. Since ending the Chivas’ six-game win streak in the Clásico Tapatío in October of last year, Atlas has not lost winning twice and settling for two draws.