Leon looks to finish off Tijuana at home, move on
Leon returned home from Tijuana with a substantive 3-1 lead fr the first-leg match and is eager to move on to the semifinals.
The Xolos head into Saturday night’s game against the league leaders with their backs against the wall, although they defeated the Esmeraldas at Estadio Leon on Matchday 3, the only home loss for the entire tournament.
Leon’s performance at the Estadio Caliente confirmed that they are the super leaders of the tournament. They knocked in the first goal of the match in minute 32 when Jose Juan Macias collected a pass by William Tesillo at the top the box, controlled the ball quickly, then ripped the ball into the back of net.
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It didn’t take long for the Xolos to respond as they registered their only goal when Miller Bolaños intercepted a bad outlet pass by Leon defender Ramiro Gonzalez. Tijuana striker Gustavo Bou was the beneficiary of the play, equalizing in minute 47, and the fans in Estadio Caliente briefly had their hope back.
But Leon soon established control over the match status and the Xolos ran out of energy after an own goal in minute 65. Xolos defender Diego Braghieri headed an attempted clearance into his own net, giving Leon a 2-1 lead.
A few minutes later, Leon put the game away, as veteran forward Rubens Sambueza, fired home from the top of the box. The final 3-1 score gives Leon a significant comfort level since they were 7-1-1 at home in the Clausura.
Prediction
The Xolos will have to play a perfect game at the Estadio Leon, but I do not see them overcoming a two-goal deficit. Leon will keep on attacking and won’t be content with the 3-1 lead from the first leg. They should cruise into the next round.