Tijuana Xolos host league leader Cruz Azul in the Liga MX quarterfinals

On By Littum

Credit: Xolos

Game: Tijuana Xolos vs Cruz Azul

Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico

When: Wednesday 27 November 2024

Time: 7:10 PM PST

TV: TUDN, VIX

Tijuana Xolos will host Cruz Azul at Estadio Caliente on Wednesday, November 27 for a match in the Liga MX quarterfinals.

This is the first leg of this quarter-final series as the second leg will be played in Mexico City on Saturday 30 November.

Club Tijuana finished seventh in the Liga MX table and has just entered the play-in phase of the Liga MX postseason. The Border City Dogs initially lost to Club America, but came back to defeat Atlas and secure the final spot in the Liga MX quarterfinals.

It is the first time in over five and a half years that the Xoloitzcuintles have reached the Liga MX quarterfinals. The Border City club really made a massive improvement with manager Juan Carlos Osorio, who has implemented some unorthodox but effective tactics. One of Osorio’s most notable philosophies is team rotation, as he made seven changes between the games against Club America and Atlas.

The Colombian manager has even changed goalkeepers on a consistent basis this season, keeping every single player on their toes. Osorio has also experimented and played some players out of their usual position, like Alejandro Gomez, who played as a midfielder against Atlas. Gomez is typically a central defender, but put in an excellent effort in the 3-0 win against Atlas, and even came close to scoring in that game.

Raul “Pantera” Zuniga scored in both of Tijuana’s play-in games and is in terrific form heading into this quarterfinal clash. It will be interesting to see how Osorio stacks up against a Cruz Azul team with a lot of pace and tempo, especially on the counter attack.

Cruz Azul was the best team in the Liga MX 2024 Apertura season and Juan Carlos Osorio stated this several times in his last press conference. La Maquina finished at the top of the table with 42 points, which was a record-setting number of points in a 17-game Liga MX format.

Cruz Azul had the best offense in the league with 39 goals scored and the best defense in the league with only 12 goals allowed. Manager Martin Anselmi has set a very fast and attractive style of football in the club, and Los Cementeros are the clear title favorites heading into the quarter-finals.

Cruz Azul have a star-studded squad, but Carlos Rotondi was arguably the best player this season with seven goals and four assists. Striker Angel Sepulveda led the club with nine goals scored and was also the top Mexican-born scorer in the Apertura 2024 campaign.

The Xolos suffered a 3-0 loss at Cruz Azul in the regular season and really need to capitalize on this opening home game. If Cruz Azul comes away with a win in this first game, the series will basically be decided heading into Saturday’s game in Mexico City. Club Tijuana suffered just one defeat at home in eight games in the regular season and is coming off the big win against Atlas.


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