LIGA MX
Club América vs Chivas: five players to watch in the Clásico Nacional
Bitter Mexican rivals Club América and Chivas Guadalajara face off in the Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 tournament on Saturday.
The Liga MX is back from the international break with a bang, as arch rivals Club América and Chivas Guadalajara meet this weekend in the latest edition of Mexican soccer’s Clásico Nacional.
América chasing Chivas in Apertura standings
Currently on a five-game unbeaten run in the Apertura 2023, hosts América head into the clash sixth in the regular-season standings, two places and two points behind Chivas, albeit with a game in hand.
América had looked set to be without their head coach, André Jardine, after the Brazilian underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis earlier this week. However, widespread reports in Mexico say Jardine will now be in the dugout at the Estadio Azteca.
The 13-time Mexican champions could hand a debut to new signing Igor Lichnovsky, who joined from Tigres on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Chivas registered four wins and a draw in their first five games in the tournament, but have now slipped to fourth after consecutive Liga MX defeats before the international break.
We take a look at five players to watch in the Clásico Nacional:
Luis Malagón, Club América
América goalkeeper Malagón faces a stern examination of his abilities against Chivas. For the 26-year-old, who is among the players earmarked as the future of the Mexico national team, what better chance to show what he’s about than in one of the most eagerly-anticipated match-ups of the campaign?
Gilberto Sepúlveda, Chivas
A starter for Mexico in El Tri’s 3-3 friendly draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday, Sepúlveda is a key figure in Chivas’ backline. Together with fellow centre-back Antonio Briseño, the 24-year-old will be tasked with stopping one of the most fearsome attacks in the Mexican game.
Álvaro Fidalgo, Club América
A cornerstone of Jardine’s side, the Spaniard brings crucial balance to the América midfield. Effective when joining in the attack, Fidalgo is immensely diligent in his ball-winning duties when Los Azulcremas are out of possession.
Roberto Alvarado, Chivas
When Alavarado is in the team, the quality of Chivas’ play goes up a notch. The attacker, who was also in Mexico action over the international break, is adept at taking defenders on and boasts a potent shot from mid-range. One of Guadalajara boss Veljko Paunovic’s most important players.
Julián Quiñones, Club América
One of the biggest signings of the Apertura 2023 transfer window, Quiñones is slowly but surely gelling with his América team-mates. Given his past at Chivas’ Guadalajara rivals Atlas, the Colombian doesn’t need to be told about the significance of coming up against Los Rojiblancos.
América vs Chivas: when, where, how to watch
América and Chivas’s Apertura 2023 matchday-eight clash takes place at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, on Saturday 16 September at 11:10pm ET/8:10pm PT. TV viewers in the United States will be able to watch the game on TUDN USA and Univisión, while your streaming options include fuboTV.
Enjoy América vs Chivas on fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.
Video: América boss Jadine gets birthday cake... in the face!
