Liga MX Apertura Returns: Matchday 1 Preview
By Sam Plummer
201 days after Club América defeated Tigres in the Liga MX Apertura final to lift their 14th title, and now it is returning with some exciting matches in-store.
Friday 5th July 2024
Puebla vs Santos Laguna;
Querétaro vs Tijuana;
Juárez vs Atlas.
The return of Mexican football begins in Puebla as they host Santos Laguna. Two sides who underperformed during the 2023/24 campaign but will hope to put on a show for the fans. Elsewhere, Tijuana travel south to face Querétaro with the last three games all ending in a different outcome as Juárez welcome Atlas to the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez.
Saturday 6th July 2024
Atlético San Luis vs Club América;
Chivas vs Toluca;
Tigres vs Necaxa;
Cruz Azul vs Mazatlán.
Reigning champions América travel north to face a San Luís side in a repeat of last seasons Apertura semi final. In a dominate year for América within Mexican football André Jardine will be hoping that his team can put on a show in San Luís.
Chivas and Toluca go head-to-head in a repeat of the Clausura quarter final. After Toluca finished 3rd in the table, the outcome surprised many as Chivas edged to victory. We may see new signing Paulinho make his debut after sealing a move from Sporting Lisbon.
At the same time, Tigres get their campaign underway with a home tie against Necaxa before Cruz Azul aim to avenge their Clausura final defeat with an opening weekend clash with Mazatlán. A debut could be in store for Mexican international Andrés Montaño, who is instore to play against his former club on Saturday evening.
Sunday 7th July 2024
Pumas vs León
Pachuca vs Monterrey
The curtain closer for the opening weekend includes Pumas' home game with Léon and Monterrey's visit to Pachuca.
Pumas crashed out of the Clausura playoffs after a quarter final defeat to Cruz Azul, whilst Léon narrowly missed out on a playoff birth. Both teams will meet at the Estadio Universitario and will be hoping for more this year and an opening weekend win is the perfect way to start.
Monterrey welcome Sevilla midfielder Óliver Torres to their ranks and will hope that some added European quality can elevate the club beyond a semi final playoff exit, like we saw in the Clausura. As for Pachuca, they are coming off a CONCACAF Champions League title and will hope to bounce off continetal success. However, the club will be without playmaker Érick Sánchez, who signed for América whilst target man Salómon Róndon remains with Venezuela at the Copa América.
The regular season will run from this weekend until the middle of November. The calendar also includes a month break in August to accommodate for the League's Cup.