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Qatar 2022: From Spanish training camp, El Tri eyes ‘European’ mates

By Thomas Buckley

From left to right, Erick Gutiérrez, Jorge Sánchez and Edson Álvarez listen to Mexico's national anthem before an El Tri match in June. The three will not report to the El Tri training camp until their Eredivisie duties are finished next weekend. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
From left to right, Erick Gutiérrez, Jorge Sánchez and Edson Álvarez listen to Mexico's national anthem before an El Tri match in June. The three will not report to the El Tri training camp until their Eredivisie duties are finished next weekend. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /
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El Tri Girona 1
El Tri manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino will be nervously watching members of his World Cup roster play in European leagues this weekend. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /

As European leagues stage their penultimate weekend of games before the World Cup, soccer fans around the world are holding their collective breath hoping their stars emerge unscathed.

Twelve of Mexico’s 31-man roster ply their trade in Europe, so El Tri fans are in the same boat.

Meanwhile, coach “Tata” Martino and the Mexico contingent are in Catalonia completing their first week of a pre-Qatar training camp, preparing for Wednesday’s exhibition match against Iraq.

At the same time, “Tata” is preoccupied with the physical condition of two of his preferred starters.

Striker Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton) has not played since Aug. 31 due to a sports hernia, while winger Jesús “Tecatito” Corona (Sevilla) is recovering from a broken leg suffered in practice on Aug. 18.

El Tri enjoys slight advantage thanks to Liga MX

Mexico arrived to Girona, Spain, on Monday with 19 players (plus a collection of youngsters who are serving as practice opponents) after a few weeks of scattered workouts in Mexico City.

While the unprecedented November-December World Cup schedule has reduced the time most national teams will have to work before kickoff in Qatar, Liga MX officials tweaked the Apertura 2022 calendar to allow for a rest-recovery-workout interval.

The regular season ended on Oct. 2, but no member of El Tri was available until after Wildcard Weekend and the first national teamers started trickling into camp after Oct. 10. After the following weekend, three more players saw dreams of Liga MX glory dashed and trudged into the El Tri facility.

When No. 1 América and No. 2 Monterrey were toppled in the semifinals, Aguilas stars Guillermo Ochoa and Henry Martín and Rayados stalwarts César Montes, Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo, Luis Romo and Rogelio Funes Mori suddenly were freed up. The good news for “Tata” was that instead of taking the week of vacation to which they were entitled, all seven players reported directly to El Tri.

They were joined by three Liga MX champions (Pachuca’s Kevin Álvarez, Erick Sánchez and Luis Chávez) just before El Tri flew to Spain on Oct. 31. Los tricolores will train in Spain for a couple weeks but will have to wait until Nov. 13 for the “European” contingent.

Still on duty in Europe

Mexico fans will be alert to the actions of several key national teamers this weekend and next.

Among the top-line players who’ll see action are midfielder Edson Álvarez and fullback Jorge Sánchez with Ajax, midfielder Erick Gutiérrez (PSV Eindhoven), striker Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), Andrés Guardado (Real Betis), fullback Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), winger “Chucky” Lozano (Napoli) and attacking midfielder Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens).

There are reports that Jiménez could see some minutes next week against Arsenal as Wolves officials are confident that his rehab has progress adequately. “Tata” and El Tri fans will be particularly attentive to developments there.

So, while European leagues try to keep their focus on domestic concerns, Mexico will face Iraq on Nov. 9 with their Liga MX roster (plus Héctor Herrera from MLS club Houston Dynamo).

And after next weekend’s Euro games, “Tata” will hope to have a complete roster available for Mexico’s Nov. 16 friendly against Sweden, also in Girona.

Next. Liga MX transfer activity heats up. dark

Like all other participating teams. Mexico must submit its final 26-man World Cup roster by Nov. 14. El Tri kicks off its World Cup adventure on Nov. 22 against Poland in Doha.

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