Emanuel Aguilera, right, battles Jesús Sánchez. (Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
América and Chivas meet for 236th time, in semifinal clash
Liga MX fans get treated to a special Super Clásico Thursday night when the Chivas and América square off on the pitch at … Estadio Olímpico Universitario?
That’s right! A Clásico de Clásicos in Mexico City, but NOT at Estadio Azteca.
The two most popular teams in Mexico will do battle in a preseason match being hosted at the CU. It’s Aguilas-Chivas in the Copa GNP semifinals in the run-up to the Guardianes 2020 season set to kick off on July 23.
Well, a Super Clásico is a Super Clásico no matter where it’s played or what’s at stake. And it’s a long time coming because we missed out on the Week 14 showdown when Covid-19 shut down the Clausura 2020 after Matchday 10.
That means the last Classic we witnessed was on Sept. 29, 2019, when América routed Guadalajara 4-1 in a game darkened by a rash Antonio Briseño tackle that badly gouged Gio dos Santos’ thigh. That was also the debut of Luis Fernando Tena as shepherd of “El Rebaño Sagrado.”
Both rivals enter the upcoming season as legitimate title contenders, though anything less than a championship will be considered a failure for América and coach Miguel Herrera knows it. The Chivas, on the other hand, are energized and eager to end a vexing six-season playoff drought.
Before the Liga MX season commences, the upcoming national derby could prove to be a springboard toward the playoffs for the victor.
To close out the group stage, the Chivas bounced back from a 2-0 loss to the Tigres by easing past Mazatlán FC 3-1, led by scoring phenom J.J. Macías who leads the Copa GNP with 3 goals. Tena’s men finished the round-robin stage atop Group B with 7 points, 1 more than the Tigres.
As for América, the Aguilas were shellacked by Cruz Azul in their final group-stage match, advancing to the semifinals with a measly 4 points from 3 games. Their reward was a date with the Chivas.
After the 4-1 beatdown at the hands of the Cementeros, coach Herrera was raked over the coals in social media, and the talking heads piled on as well. “El Piojo” does not want to head into the season on a two-game losing streak against big rivals and fellow title contenders. So a win over Guadalajara is a must.
The controversial coach was already taking heat for not wearing a mask on the sidelines as required by Cup rules. After also being mask-less during his club’s second game, Herrera claimed nobody told him about that regulation and promised to wear a “cubreboca” during the third game. He did. But if Cruz Azul’s 3-goal flurry to open the second half left him agape, the mask hid his stunned expression.
Am%c3%a9rica routed Guadalajara 4-1</a> in a game darkened by a rash Antonio Briseño tackle that badly gouged Gio dos Santos’ thigh. That was also the debut of Luis Fernando Tena as shepherd of “El Rebaño Sagrado.”</p>
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<p>Both rivals enter the upcoming season as legitimate title contenders, though anything less than a championship will be considered a failure for América and coach Miguel Herrera knows it. The Chivas, on the other hand, are energized and eager to end a vexing six-season playoff drought.</p>
<p>Before the Liga MX season commences, the upcoming national derby could prove to be a springboard toward the playoffs for the victor.</p>
<p>To close out the group stage, the Chivas bounced back from a 2-0 loss to the Tigres by easing past Mazatlán FC 3-1, led by scoring phenom J.J. Macías who leads the Copa GNP with 3 goals. Tena’s men finished the round-robin stage atop Group B with 7 points, 1 more than the Tigres.</p>
<p>As for América, the Aguilas were shellacked by Cruz Azul in their final group-stage match, advancing to the semifinals with a measly 4 points from 3 games. Their reward was a date with the Chivas.</p>
<p>After the 4-1 beatdown at the hands of the Cementeros, coach Herrera was raked over the coals in social media, and the talking heads piled on as well. “El Piojo” does not want to head into the season on a two-game losing streak against big rivals and fellow title contenders. So a win over Guadalajara is a must.</p>
<p>The controversial coach was already taking heat for not wearing a mask on the sidelines as required by Cup rules. After also being mask-less during his club’s second game, Herrera claimed nobody told him about that regulation and promised to wear a “cubreboca” during the third game. He did. But if Cruz Azul’s 3-goal flurry to open the second half left him agape, the mask hid his stunned expression.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Mexico’s derby: Chivas vs América (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>It’s Tena’s job to maximize youthful club’s potential</h3>
<p>Guadalajara appeared certain to end its Liga MX playoff drought last season, perched in fifth place when the season was canceled after Matchday 10. This was not unexpected after GM Ricardo Peláez flashed an open wallet during the winter transfer window.</p>
<p>In came three El Tri prodigies, including the aforementioned Macías, a skilled 21-year-old striker who thrived while out on loan to León in 2019.</p>
<p>J.J. returned to the Chivas with the notion of showcasing his skills for a European suitor. The pandemic put that on hold, but bids could be forthcoming in August so Tena might not have him for long.</p>
<p>The other Team Mexico stars are winger Uriel Antuna and left back Cristian Calderón. Antuna jumped to Liga MX from MLS where he played for LA Galaxy, while Calderón arrived after a breakout year with Necaxa. Antuna looked great during El Tri’s Gold Cup-winning run in summer 2019 while “Chicote” became a regular starter during Mexico’s Nations League matches in October and November last.</p>
<p>Another star-in-the-making also joined from Necaxa – 23-year-old Jesús Angulo. The playmaking midfielder struggled in his first season with the Chivas and did not crack the starting 11. But the Cup has been a different story.</p>
<p>Angulo has been effective in his forward role, scoring twice and serving up an assist to Macías to account for 3 of Guadalajara’s 5 goals during the group stage.</p>
<p>Tena will also count on in-house talent with “Chofis” López stepping into the No. 10 spot, the hustling Fernando Beltrán scurrying all around the pitch, Gilberto Sepúlveda (only 21) proving to be a stud on defense, and Antonio Rodríguez standing tall between the pipes.</p>
<p>Veterans Jesús Molina and Isaac Brizuela are solid in midfield, but Tena will want to see more production from Alexis Vega and Ronaldo Cisneros up front.</p>
<p>Guadalajara promises to be an entertaining club to watch in the Guardianes 2020 and fans have every right to expect a top four finish.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Former América idol Oribe Peralta now plays for Guadalajara. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>For América, it’s 14th Liga MX title or bust</h3>
<p>The Aguilas must be contenders every Liga MX season; the Guardianes will be no different. And Miguel Herrera knows it.</p>
<p>Even though “El Piojo” is poised to become América’s all-time winningest coach, it will be considered hollow if not accompanied by hardware. The last league trophy the Aguilas put on their shelf came after the Apertura 2018 and Herrera is chasing his third Liga MX crown as América boss.</p>
<p>Last season, “Los Azulcremas” got hit by the injury bug and two key players remain sidelined. Striker Nico Castillo had complications following March surgery that could keep him out most of this season; midfielder Nicolás Benedetti tore his ACL while on international duty with Argentina. He could be back to full training by late August.</p>
<p>“El Piojo” will make do with a balance of young imports, academy players and sturdy veterans.</p>
<p>Uruguayan striker Federico Viñas starred during América’s run to the Apertura 2019 Finals and management signed the 22-year-old to a 4-year deal this spring. He’ll share time with veterans Henry Martín and Roger Martínez.</p>
<p>Argentine winger Leo Suárez, 24, will work alongside homegrown starlet Sebastián Córdova, 23, who is on a fast track to Europe. And América fans still hold out hope that midfielder Gio dos Santos will rediscover his mojo and rise up to meet the unfulfilled expectations set for him since his star turn at the U-17 World Cup in 2005.</p>
<p>Forming a durable double pivot are Paraguayan Richard Sánchez and former Chiva Fernando González. Sánchez is a bigger contributor going forward, but both know how to disrupt opponents’ forays.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, 20-year-old Uruguayan Sebastián Cáceres will help spell veteran defenders Bruno Valdez and Emanuel Aguilera now that Luis Fuentes’ loan deal lapsed. Paul Aguilar is long in the tooth, but still a capable right back, while Luis “El Hueso” Reyes and Jorge Sánchez will share time on the left.</p>
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<p>At the back, El Tri netminder Guillermo Ochoa is still capable of spectacular reflex saves.</p>
<p>The Liga MX schedule has the Aguilas hosting the Chivas for a Matchday 11 Super Clásico in mid-September. No doubt, the bitter rivals will be jockeying for playoff seeds.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">