The first weekend of Liga MX has concluded. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting moments from this past weekend.
Chivas Starts the Season With a Lackluster Draw
El Rebaño began the 2022 Apertura by drawing 0-0 against FC Juarez in the Estadio Akron. Chivas would go on and dominate the first half of the game but they were not able to take the lead. There would actually be two separate occasions on which the home side looked like they had gotten the lead, but both times the goal would be waived off; first by VAR and the second one via an offside call. In the second half it was more of the same from Chivas as they could not find a way to open up the field and score. One big issue was their apparently lack of a quality striker, as unfortunately just mere days before the season started Jose Juan Macias ruptured a ligament and will be out 8-9 months, forcing the team to rely on Angel Zaldivar as their main number 9, who didn’t provide a threat to the opposing keepers. They also have Paolo Yrizar and Sebastian Martinez, two players who are still unproven in Liga MX as their other scoring options. El Rebaño will have to quickly turn the page as they will welcome Atletico San Luis next week at home for a chance to get their first three points of the season.
Tigres and Cruz Azul Put on a Spectacle
Tigres would welcome La Máquina to the Estadio Volcan in what would be one of the best games of the weekend. The two teams would combine for a total of five goals with Cruz Azul would get the win in the 92nd minute. The newly numbered 9 Santi Gimenez would be the player to step up in the 92nd minute and score the game winning goal via a penalty. This victory was a perfect way for Diego Aguirre to kick off his tenure with Los Cementeros. Aguirre’s confidence in his youth players would pay off but it would not be without its difficulties throughout the game. An unfortunate error from Sebastian Jurado allowed Tigres to momentarily tie the game in the 75th minute. Fans will have to wait and see if Aguirre decides to continue starting Jurado or if he will start Chuy Corona. Los Cementeros will welcome Pachuca next weekend for their first game at home.
Meanwhile, for Tigres they played a great game but could not capitalize on all the opportunities they had. Gignac will need to be much better as he was not a threat in this game at all. The club will have to rely heavily upon the Frenchmen if they are to challenge for another title this season. While this loss was not something Tigres hoped for there were some bright spots that came out of it. Sebastian Cordova had a tremendous game that included a goal and an assist. Cordova, who was heavily criticized last season, started alongside Gignac and was one of the most dangerous players on the pitch causing a lot of trouble for Cruz Azul. This is the Cordova that many fans have come to know and if he can keep putting on stellar performances then he will definitely become a key player for Tigres. Tigres must turn the page on this chapter and quickly forget about the loss as they will head out to take on Mazatlan on Friday.
El Bicampeon is Dealt With Another Blow
Los Rojinegros would march into the mythical Estadio Azteca to take on America for their first game of the season since becoming bicampeones. In a tough environment filled with unfortunate circumstances Atlas was able to walk out with a point after drawing nil-nil. An injured Julio Furch was replaced by Mauro Manotas who would unfortunately suffer a knee injury in his first game with the club. The extent of how grave the injury is still unknown and things just seem to get tougher and tougher for the reigning champions. Throughout the game Atlas was able to generate some offensive challenges against Las Aguilas but could not find the back of the net.
On the other end America also had an equal number of chances to take the lead but could not score. For this game they could not count on the newly signed striker Jonathan ‘Cabecita’ Rodriguez as he had barely landed in Mexico a day prior to the match. No doubt that this team will look much different when he is in the starting eleven especially given Roger Martinez had to exit the game in the 40th minute of the first half due to injury. While this was a winnable match for Las Aguilas, a charge against the reigning champs is sufficient and they will need to make some corrections for next week’s match as they head off to Estadio BBVA to take on a potent Monterrey team.
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