Guadalajara’s Jesús Orozco (right) exults after scoring against América in last season’s semifinals to advance the Chivas to the Liga MX final. The two Liga MX giants square off Saturday in Estadio Azetca in yet another “Super Clásico.” (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
Aguilas seek retribution in massive Liga MX derby
The Chivas are in Mexico City to take on América in the 250th rendition of the Liga MX “Super Clásico” with the Aguilas eager to exact revenge on visiting Guadalajara.
The last time these two bitter rivals met at Estadio Azteca was back on May 21 when the third-seeded Chivas stunned their favored hosts – the No. 2 seeds – to advance to the Liga MX finals on the back of a 3-1 victory.
A minute 88 goal by defender Jesús Orozco proved to be the difference after América had defeated Guadalajara 1-0 in the first leg of the semifinals. (An aggregate tie would have allowed the Aguilas to move on as the higher seed.)
The result marked the second straight time the Chivas had knocked out América in the playoffs (seventh-seeded Guadalajara upset the No. 3 seeded “AzulCremas” in the Apertura 2020 quarterfinals). In between these two playoff clashes, América won three games and the Liga MX adversaries played to two scoreless draws.
Bruised and battered Aguilas emerge from sick bay
América is so beaten up that even their manager is among the walking wounded.
First-year Aguilas coach André Jardine is four days removed from an appendectomy, though he is determined to be on the bench for his inaugural “Super Clásico.”
Jardine attended practice on Thursday and has reportedly been cleared to attend the game.
In another bit of good news, reigning Liga MX MVP Henry Martín has passed a fitness test though he is not expected to start.
Martín – been out of action since July 31 – has been fitted with a compression sock to protect his injured calf and hopes to see some action. “La Bomba” has scored 7 times against the Chivas, the most he has scored against any Liga MX rival in his illustrious career.
Right back Kevin Álvarez will also be back on the game-day roster after serving a one-game, red card suspension in a return that should help prop up the Aguilas’ hobbled back line.
the 250th rendition of the Liga MX “Super Clásico”</a> with the Aguilas eager to exact revenge on visiting Guadalajara.</p>
<p>The last time these two bitter rivals met at Estadio Azteca was back on May 21 when <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhJtbEEUkMM%22>the third-seeded Chivas stunned their favored hosts</a> – the No. 2 seeds – <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/05/22/chivas-oust-america/">to advance to the Liga MX finals on the back of a 3-1 victory.</a></p>
<p>A minute 88 goal by defender Jesús Orozco proved to be the difference after América had defeated Guadalajara 1-0 in the first leg of the semifinals. (An aggregate tie would have allowed the Aguilas to move on as the higher seed.)</p>
<p>The result marked the second straight time the Chivas had knocked out América in the playoffs (seventh-seeded Guadalajara upset the No. 3 seeded “AzulCremas” in the Apertura 2020 quarterfinals). In between these two playoff clashes, América won three games and the Liga MX adversaries played to two scoreless draws.</p>
<h2>Bruised and battered Aguilas emerge from sick bay</h2>
<p>América is so beaten up that even their manager is among the walking wounded.</p>
<p>First-year Aguilas coach André Jardine is four days removed from an appendectomy, though he is determined to be on the bench for his inaugural “Super Clásico.”</p>
<p>Jardine attended practice on Thursday and <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.posta.com.mx/deportes/andre-jardine-despues-del-susto-por-la-apendicitis-estara-en-la-banca-vs-chivas/vl1508432">has reportedly been cleared to attend the game</a>.</p>
<p>In another bit of good news, reigning Liga MX MVP <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-liga-mx-america/clasico-nacional-henry-martin-no-sera-titular-ante-chivas-araujo-mo-esta">Henry Martín has passed a fitness test though he is not expected to start</a>.</p>
<p>Martín – been out of action since July 31 – has been fitted with a compression sock to protect his injured calf and hopes to see some action. “La Bomba” has scored 7 times against the Chivas, the most he has scored against any Liga MX rival in his illustrious career.</p>
<p>Right back Kevin Álvarez will also be back on the game-day roster after serving a one-game, red card suspension in a return that should help prop up the Aguilas’ hobbled back line.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defender falls in América's lap </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-499864" src=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1423502108-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX derby AP23" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Former Tigres defender Igor Lichnovsky (left) is expected to start for América in the “Super Clásico” after the Liga MX champions gifted the 29-year-old back-liner to the Aguilas. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Don’t look a gift … um, Tigre in the mouth</h2>
<p>In still another bit of good fortune, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.record.com.mx/columnistas-francotirador/gratis-hasta-las-punaladas">América was basically gifted a free defender</a> just when the club was in desperate need of reliable back-line help.</p>
<p>After central defenders Néstor Araujo (knee) and Israel Reyes (thigh) went down with injury, the Aguilas front office hurriedly went shopping for reinforcements but were unable to convince any of its targets to agree to a move to Liga MX.</p>
<p>At the same time, reigning Liga MX champion Tigres were burdened by a surplus of defenders.</p>
<p>Veteran center back Igor Lichnovsky had been told by the team that he would not be included on the roster this season, but were unable to find any takers for the 29-year-old Chile international and it looked like he might spend a season on drydock, no doubt lowering his value when he would become a free agent in December.</p>
<p>When his agents caught wind of América’s frantic search for a defender, they offered Lichnovsky to América but Santiago Baños and company politely declined.</p>
<p>The agents then convinced Tigres officials to agree to pay half of Lichnovsky’s salary if América agreed to take him on. Again, the Aguilas said “Thanks, but no thanks.”</p>
<p>So Lichnovsky’s representatives begged and pleaded with Tigres ownership to help and, since they were obligated to pay the defender’s full salary regardless, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-liga-mx-america-tigres/igor-lichnovsky-llega-gratis-al-america-tigres-pagara-integro-su">the club consented to send Lichnovsky to América AND pay his full wages</a>.</p>
<p>The Aguilas glanced around furtively and said “Well … if you insist.”</p>
<p>So now the long-time Liga MX back-liner (Lichnovsky first entered the league with Necaxa in June 2017, spent two years with Cruz Azul, left for an 18-month stint in Saudi Arabia, and returned to Liga MX with Tigres in January 2022) looks likely to debut with América in a <em>“Super Clásico.”</em></p>
<p>The good fortune with regard to Lichnovsky was somewhat dampened by the news that América might be without starting central defender Sebastián Cáceres. The Uruguay international played in both of the South American team’s World Cup qualifiers during the FIFA break and might need to be held out to ovoid overexertion.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> América midfielder Fidalgo seeks redemption </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-499863" src=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1492194933-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX derby AP23" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">A dejected Álvaro Fidalgo of América walks off the pitch after being ejected from last season’s Liga MX semifinal match against Guadalajara. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Spanish playmaker eager to erase bitter memory of red card</h2>
<p>With less than 30 minutes remaining in the return leg of the Liga MX semifinals between Guadalajara and América, the Aguilas were leading 2-1 on aggregate and seemed poised to add to their cushion.</p>
<p>That’s when <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu1GWKxrrW0%22>%c3%81lvaro Fidalgo decided to go for a steal in midfield</a>. Just as the 26-year-old Spaniard lunged – recklessly as it turned out – Fernando Beltrán shielded the América midfielder from the ball and took the brunt of the tackle half-way up his left leg.</p>
<p>Ref Víctor Cáceres immediately pulled out a yellow card and pointed at Fidalgo. Moments later, however, VAR asked the official to take a closer and replay made it clear that the rash challenge deserved a red card.</p>
<p>The distraught Fidalgo trudged to the locker room and the momentum quickly changed, with the field tilting dramatically in favor of the Chivas.</p>
<p>Twelve minutes later, Alan Mozo put Guadalajara ahead 2-1 though the 2-2 aggregate scoreline still favored América. Another 12 minutes later and Guadalajara defender Jesús Orozco found the back of the net, sending the Chivas to the Liga MX final (where they would lose to Tigres).</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-liga-mx-america/alvaro-fidalgo-recordo-la-expulsion-ante-chivas-fue-un-momento-muy-jo-no">Asked about the expulsion this week</a>, Fidalgo said he had trouble sleeping for a week afterward, only able to shake off the dolefulness somewhat when Tigres defeated the Chivas in the final.</p>
<p>Had Guadalajara emerged victorious, <em>“El Rebaño Sagrado”</em> would have equaled América’s Liga MX-record 13 championships, an outcome that “would have destroyed me,” the Spaniard admitted.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Alexis Vega proclaims newfound maturity </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-499866" src=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1491401253-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX derby Ap23" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Guadalajara winger Alexis Vega this week declared a newfound commitment to a fitness regimen, prompting Liga MX pundits to wonder what took him so long. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Vega confession prompts ‘You’re just realizing that now?’ response</h2>
<p>Alexis Vega has been a Liga MX star-in-the-making since debuting with Toluca back in 2016. His dribbling skills and powerful right foot eventually earned him a spot with the national team and the Mexico City native was one of the few bright spots in El Tri’s brief 2022 World Cup showing.</p>
<p>Despite the high praise he often received for his playmaking, Vega’s productivity never quite matched the headlines he earned. Vega career stats feature just 48 goals and 35 assists in 221 games across all competitions.</p>
<p>To make matters worse, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://planoinformativo.com/planodeportivo/282038/amaury-vergara-transparenta-las-indisciplinas-de-alexis-vega">Alexis got the reputation as a partier who lacked discipline</a>, and this alleged character flaw was made more damaging by his recent fitness troubles. Over the past three seasons, Vega has gotten the reputation of a 60-minute man, a player unable to finish games and one that was too often struggling with fitness issues.</p>
<p>Vega addressed these concerns with TV Azteca during the past FIFA break, explaining to reporters that Chivas coach Veljko Paunovic and general manager Fernando Hierro, the Real Madrid legend, have made him realize how important it is to take care of his body.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-nacional-seleccion-mexicana/alexis-vega-sobre-su-cambio-de-habitos-empece-a-trabajar">Alexis declared a newfound commitment to diet and training</a> but as he elaborated on this recent “realization,” his comments caused a few eyebrows to be raised.</p>
<p>In praising Paunovic’s methods, one of the things Vega said is that his coach made him realize that it is important to be on time for training, a confession that shocked Liga MX pundits.</p>
<p>Critics pounced, wondering how 7½ years into his Liga MX career the talented Vega was just now realizing that professionalism required quite a lot more than showing up whenever he felt like it.</p>
<p>The admission also reopened the debate about how some Liga MX and Team Mexico stars develop a sense of entitlement and, worse, are indulged by teams and coaches (the coaches too often overruled by ownership, sponsors and agents).</p>
<p>Vega also disclosed that he had lost 12 pounds since adopting his new dietary and fitness regimen, yet questions remain. Coach Paunovic – in his second season with “the most popular Liga MX team” – is <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://www.futboltotal.com.mx/futbol-mexicano/liga-mx/veljko-paunovic-preocupado-por-alexis-vega-en-chivas/2023/08">still not convinced that Vega is a 90-minute man</a>.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Baffling decision annuls Puebla victory over Tijuana" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/15/puebla-win-overturned/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/16/liga-mx-250-super-clasico/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/09/15/puebla-win-overturned/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Baffling decision annuls Puebla victory over Tijuana </a> </div>
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<p>With all this controversy swirling around the Guadalajara starlet – Vega is still only 25 years old – it will be interesting to see how the flamboyant winger performs against América in Saturday night’s “Super Clásico.”</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">