Tijuana Xolos host league-leaders Cruz Azul in Liga MX quarterfinals

Game: Tijuana Xolos vs Cruz Azul

Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico

When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Time: 7:10 p.m. PST

TV: TUDN, VIX

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

This is the first leg of this quarterfinal series, as the return leg will be played in Mexico City this Saturday, November 30.

Club Tijuana finished seventh on the Liga MX table and just participated in the play-in stage of the Liga MX postseason. The Border City Dogs initially lost to Club America but came back to defeat Atlas and secure the last spot in the Liga MX quarterfinals.

This is the first time in over five and a half years that the Xoloitzcuintles make 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 squad 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 center-back but gave an outstanding effort in the 3-0 victory against Atlas, even being close to scoring in that game.

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

Cruz Azul was the best team in the Liga MX 2024 Apertura season, and Juan Carlos Osorio stated this several times at his last press conference. The Machine finished top of the table with 42 points, which was a record-setting amount 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 just 12 goals allowed. Manager Martin Anselmi has set a very quick-paced and attractive style of football at the club, and The Cemeteries are the clear title favorites heading into the quarterfinals.

Cruz Azul has a star-studded team, 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 goalscorer in the Apertura 2024 campaign.

Xolos suffered a 3-0 loss at Cruz Azul in the regular season and really needs to take advantage of this initial home game. If Cruz Azul comes away with a win in this first leg, the series will basically be decided heading into the match on Saturday in Mexico City. Club Tijuana only suffered one loss at home in eight regular season games and are coming off that huge victory against Atlas.

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