Mexico Predicted Lineup Vs. Honduras: Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals

Mexico face Honduras on Tuesday night at the Estadio Nemesio Díez, needing to come back from a 0-2 deficit to save elimination from the Concacaf Nations League.

Javier Aguirre’s side had a night to forget in the first leg in Honduras. El Tri struggled to push themselves against a weaker Honduras side that pounced on Mexico’s mistakes to secure the advantage in the tie. A much better version of El Tri will be needed if it is to have any chance of turning the tide.

Mexico’s lineup raised many questions after the defeat. Aguirre played, played out of shape players and put others out of position. After leaving the field covered in blood due to a beverage can thrown from the stands, cutting off his head, Aguirre admitted that the loss was on him and that the line-up gamble did not pay off, costing El Tri dearly.

With all that to do and the need for a two-goal comeback, changes are expected in the starting XI. The need for goals could see the introduction of more attacking players; however, keeping a clean sheet is also crucial given the away goals rule in play.

Whatever he decides, Aguirre has no margin for error if he wants to avoid exiting an international tournament in just his sixth game since returning for a third time to manage El Tri. Critics and even more fan discontent will follow if Mexico are unable to mount a comeback, of course the pressure is on for players and manager to perform.

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GK: Luis Malagón—Guillermo Ochoa started the first game in one of the most criticized decisions in the wake of the loss. Malagón is currently the most in-form goalkeeper and should be in goal for the second leg.

RB: Jorge Sánchez—Sánchez was far too passive and cautious in his marking of Honduras’ second goal. On the ball, he was one of Mexico’s best players in the first game.

CB: César Montes—Montes’ mistake led to the first goal on Friday night. He was asked to play at left centre-back and it backfired. The defensive leader should be back in his preferred role of right centre-back.

CB: Jesús Orozco—Chiva’s centre-back is left-footed and is the clear choice to slide into the XI without having to play other players out of position.

LB: Jesús Angulo—Normally very solid in defence, Angulo struggled in Honduras, making several mistakes, being beaten in 1-v-1 situations and being careless in possession. A better performance will be needed from Tigres left back.

CM: Edson Álvarez—Mexico’s captain was the hero in Mexico’s comeback against Honduras in last year’s quarter-finals and will look to repeat that effort.

CM: Luis Romo—Romo will return to the XI over Luis Chávez, who was poor in the first game. Romo’s ability to run into the box will add an extra layer to El Tri’s attack.

RW: Cesar Huerta—Aguirre, predominantly a left winger, switched him to the right in the second half on Friday night. Given the lack of opportunities and how many minutes Huerta has played under Aguirre, his place in the lineup seems a given.

LW: Alexis Vega—Vega is one of the most in-form players in Liga MX and will get the nod to start and try to give Mexico an attacking spark at the stadium where he has been lights out this season for Toluca.

ST: Julián Quiñones—Quiñones looked lost charging down the right wing in the first leg, but Mexico’s best minutes came when he drifted centrally and began linking up with Raúl Jiménez. He thrived playing as a second striker with Atlas a few years ago, so playing him there to partner Jiménez seems worth doing.

ST: Raúl Jiménez—The Fulham striker will be hoping for another performance like that against the USMNT in October. Jiménez needs his teammates to put him in advantageous positions in front of goal, unlike in the first leg.

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