The Clásico Regiomontano could send these opponents in opposite directions.
The 2018 Liga MX Clausura saw the Clásico Regiomontano end in a 2-2 draw, while the 2017 Apertura version ended with Monterrey on top 2-0. Tigres gets the last laugh, however, after they beat Monterrey over two legs in the 2017 Apertura Liguilla.
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This version will no doubt be contentious, as well.
Last Match
Tigres: D @ Pachuca 1-1
Tigres comes into the match having won the Campeones Cup against Toronto FC on Wednesday. Prior to that however, Tigres UANL needed a goal in the 81st minute to draw Pachuca at Estadio Miguel Hidalgo. The goal came from Lucas Zelarayan off an assist from Andre-Pierre Gignac. Zelarayan was they only Tigres midfielder or forward to receive a rating over 6.8 from SofaScore, indicating the same level of near sleep-walking Tigres has shown this whole tournament.
Monterrey: L v Chivas 2-4
Chivas struck first in the 44th minute on a Jose van Rankin shot just before half time. Monterrey would answer with a goal from Drolan Pabon at 50’ and then move into the lead on Stefan Medina’s goal in the 66th minute. Then the wheels came off. Just two minutes after gaining the lead, Monterrey let in the equalizer from Hedgardo Marin. Gael Sandoval would put Chivas ahead at 77’ and Alan Cervantes would cap off the Monterrey nightmare at minute 85, potting his 1st goal of the season to beat Los Rayados 2-4 in Monterrey.
Predicted Lineups
Tigres: 4-3-3
Guzman
Rodriguez – Torres – Ayala – Duenas
Carioca – Pizarro – Zelarayan
Quinones – Gignac – Vargas
Tigres has found some success with the 4-3-3 formation recently, so I don’t expect much variation from it. Andre-Pierre Gignac is obviously the big name and tip of the spear in attack. His 6 goals on the season lead Tigres but Eduardo Vargas needs to step up and make more of an impact. The back four are as steady as they come and Guzman has been excellent in net. Having just played the Campeones Cup, is it fair to wonder how much rotation we’ll see? Gignac played the full 90, as did the entire defense.
Monterrey: 4-4-2
Barovero
Medina – Sanchez – Bastanta – Vangioni
Pabon – Gonzalez – Ortiz – Hurtado
Funes Mori – Madrigal
Los Rayados switched to using more of a 4-2-3-1 after their 2-2 draw against Monarcas Morelia. The results have been a 2-1 loss away to Puebla and the 2-4 nightmare loss to Chivas in Monterrey. If I were Diego Alonso, I think I’d go back to the 4-4-2, hoping it gives a little more in the way of defensive structure. After giving up 7 goals in the previous 7 matches, Monterrey has allowed 6 in their last 2.
In addition, I’d like to see Rogelio Funes Mori in the starting XI, rather than Roldolfo Pizarro. Pizarro is yet to score in this Apertura, and hasn’t looked particularly good the last couple matches. Funes Mori provides another potential scoring threat up top and could allow Guillermo Madrigal a bit more space to add to his 2 goals on the year, as well.
Key Players
Tigres: Andre-Pierre Gignac. For all the talent that Tigres has on their roster, Gignac is the guy that makes them so dangerous. Through 40 Liga MX matches last season, Gignac produced 16 goals and 7 assists. He is still more or less on pace for that goal total again, but is lagging behind in the assists and big chances created categories. If he finds that part of his game that has been quiet this Apertura, Tigres could shoot up the table.
Monterrey: Aviles Hurtado. In keeping with the theme of “Where has player X been”, what is going on with Aviles Hurtado? Through 9 matches he has just 2 goals and 1 assist after scoring 18 goals with 7 assists in the 2017-18 Liga MX calendar. There has been a constant cry of “Wait, until this team starts to gel!” but when do we get to start wondering if they actually will? If they want to put their mark on this Apertura, it has to happen soon. Hurtado needs to start that with a big game against Tigres.
Prediction
On paper, this should be an absolute gem of a match. This is two supremely talented teams, separated by just two points in the table squaring off in a heated rivalry match. If we get more of the same performances as they’ve put out so far, though, it might be a big letdown.
The game has the potential to send either team in opposite directions as well. Tigres could fall out of the top 8 with a loss. Monterrey would be on the cusp of a crisis if they don’t find a good performance in such an important match. A win for either side would boost morale and table-health, though, providing a sense of the top dogs being back.
I’m going to make the assumption that the rivalry aspect gets these teams going. In such a big match, the two sleep-walking giants of Liga MX will awaken and we’ll see the type of football that made many of us pick Tigres or Monterrey as league favorites.