Liga MX resumes after the horrific events witnessed at Estadio Corregidora plus El Super Clasico makes its way to Estadio Akron. Here are the matches to watch in Jornada 10.
Necaxa vs Queretaro ( Friday, March 111 at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET)
In a weekend full of rivalry matches, many will have their eyes set on the first match of the week. Days after the horrific event, FMF President Yon De Luisa and Liga MX President Mikel Arriola announced that the season would continue as normal and that the Jornada 10 would be played on schedule, with the first game of Jornada 10 being Necaxa against Queretaro. Necaxa then announced that this game will take place behind closed doors and fans will not be permitted to enter the game.
From a tactical standpoint, Necaxa has not won a match since February 12th when they beat Cruz Azul 2-1. Following that inaugural victory under newly signed Jaime Lozano, the team also hasn’t seemed to click since and have even lacked any real fire in their performances. As for Queretaro, they come into this game uneasy after last week’s events. With morale being low within the club and players still trying to adapt to Hernan Cristante’s system, they might not fare well in this match.
Cruz Azul vs Pumas ( Saturday, March 12 at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET)
Separated by three points, this is going to be one the weekend’s most intriguing matches. Revenge is on the mind for Cruz Azul after last season’s debacle that saw them give up a 3-1 lead in the final match of the regular season, forcing them to face Monterrey in the repechaje, where they were eventually eliminated. Pumas hasn’t played a league match since March 2nd when they lost to Santos and will go into this game slightly unprepared after their Week 9 match-up was cancelled. Pumas is also still reeling from their 3-0 loss to New England Revolution during their midweek Concacaf Champions League match.
As for La Maquina, they enter this match-up coming off an embarrassing defeat to Puebla but a solid 1-0 victory over Montreal in Champions League. While having to balance both league play and Concacaf Champions League has forced Cruz Azul to struggle, manager Juan Reynoso still possesses a strong attacking side that could potentially do damage to a vulnerable Pumas’ defense.
Both teams are looking for the victory and a draw will not be enough for either side. A win for Cruz Azul puts them in the top four while Pumas looks for a better chance at a repechaje spot.
Guadalajara vs Club America ( Saturday, MArch 12 at 7 PM PT / 10 PM ET)
The biggest game in all of Liga MX will be redefined this weekend. As a result of the events in Queretaro, Chivas announced this week that they are banning barras, supporter groups, from entering the stadium and will instead have children from the Jorge Vergara Foundation and Teleton Foundation sitting in those section. Chivas also started a campaign called Clasico Sin Colores (Classic Without Colors), inviting fans who attend the match to wear white as a symbol of unity, respect, and peace.
Chivas enters into this match having narrowly defeated Santos Laguna with a goal from J.J Macias, no doubt giving him some much-needed confidence. They will also recover their top player, Alexis Vega, after completing his two-game suspension. Despite America not playing at a particularly high level, Chivas must muster up all the energy it can to try and defeat Los Azulcremas. As for Las Aguilas, they enter this match-up in last place after losing 2-1 last weekend against Monterrey. With Solari gones and interim coach Fernando Ortiz stepping in, walking out with all three points will be a huge morale booster and if other matches work out in America’s favor, the team could very well catapult themselves all the way to 12th or 13th place.