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Liga MX: Club Tijuana Xolos season so far

By Tom Freeman-Eves

TIJUANA, MEXICO - AUGUST 25: Fans of Tijuana cheer for their team during the seventh round match between Tijuana and Pachuca as part of the Torneo Apertura 2017 Liga MX at Caliente Stadium on August 25, 2017 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Gonzalo Gonzalez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
TIJUANA, MEXICO - AUGUST 25: Fans of Tijuana cheer for their team during the seventh round match between Tijuana and Pachuca as part of the Torneo Apertura 2017 Liga MX at Caliente Stadium on August 25, 2017 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Gonzalo Gonzalez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Xolos find themselves near the bottom of the table halfway through the 2018 Liga MX Apertura. Is there reason for optimism?

It’s been a somewhat underwhelming start to the Liga MX Apertura for Club Tijuana thus far with them currently sat 14th in the table after the international break. Despite draws to high flyers Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul at home, Xolos have been a shambles on the road having been battered by Toluca and falling to Veracruz.

All of the defensive solidity that Xolos were known for last season has evaporated from their game. They conceded a total of 12 goals last season to reach the liguilla, this year they’ve conceded 10 already.

Individual errors are rife but it’s the transitions from defense to attack that look the most worrying as a fan.  It’s clear that Diego Cocca wants his team to employ a hyper-aggressive press in attack but this is being done with a complete lack of regards for shape, leaving holes to be exploited out wide. Not only is this a risky move from a defensive standpoint, it also isn’t bearing any fruit as Xolos have only managed 7 goals in 8 games; 3 less than 15th place Necaxa.

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Player of the season so far: Miller Bolaños

Playing in the support striker role, Miller has looked the biggest threat that Tijuana possess this season having chalked up 2 goals and 2 assists in the 6 games. He’s also maintained an average passing accuracy of 82% over the course of the season and created 3 major chances for his team*; all contributing to him looking like a real threat for Xolos in attack. If the team are to start picking up the goals, Miller looks like he’s going to be the man at the heart of them!

*Stats taken from SofaScore

Weakest Link: Discipline & Manuel Lajud

The 0 – 3 loss to Necaxa provides a microcosm for how Tijuana’s season has gone up to now and how it’s looking like it might finish. Muñoz was shown a red card as a result of being left exposed to a counter and Necaxa’s third was scored after the back four found themselves in complete disarray.

The other two goals were scored because of serious errors by Lajud. I hate to say it as I’m a huge fan of the keeper normally but, his performances this season haven’t been up to scratch. Poor positioning for set pieces and indecision in the box have looked him looking like a man lacking confidence. This is coupled with a passing accuracy of only 64% meaning he’s giving the ball away almost half of the time he’s called upon, in the modern game this just isn’t good enough.

Predictions for the remainder of the season:

Home advantage to save Tijuana from embarrassment but overall, no challenge for the Liguilla.

Atlas (A): W

Pachuca (H): W

Monterrey (A): L

Querétaro (H): D

América (A): L

Pumas (H): D

Lobos (A): D

Monarcas Morelia (H): D

Puebla (A): W

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