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MEXICO

Mexico find the perfect defensive partnership

Mexico have kept seven clean sheets with the two centre-backs in the side.

César Cruzcgcruz58
Kieran Quailekquaile90
Ciudad de México
(L-R), Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Carlos Rodriguez of Mexico during the game Honduras vs Mexico (Seleccion Mexicana), corresponding to CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, at Olimpico Metropolitano Stadium, on March 27, 2021. <br><br> (I-D), Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Carlos Rodriguez de Mexico durante el partido Honduras vs Mexico (Seleccion Mexicana), correspondiente a la Clasificacion Mundial de la CONCACAF camino a la Copa Mundial de la FIFA Qatar 2022, en el Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, el 27 de Marzo de 2021.
Jose Luis Melgarejo

The Mexico national team have in Johan Vásquez and César Montes, two centre-backs who have helped strengthen the country’s backline. Both defenders have started seven games in which El Tri have not conceded a single goal.

Since the arrival of head coach Jaime Lozano, the defensive pair have been regulars. The first time the centre-back pairing played together was in 2021, with current Inter Miami boss Tata Martino in charge. On that night, Mexico defeated Panama 3-0 in a friendly match, with Montes and Vásquez responsible for stopping the opposition attack.

Later, in 2022, the same backline defended against the USMNT and Honduras, but it was with Lozano as national team head coach that the two European-based players took over. In the Gold Cup, they featured in the entire knockout stage, against Costa Rica (2-0), Jamaica (3-0) and Panama (1-0).

Against Ghana, Vásquez and Montes were again in the starting line-up and nullified the threat coming against Mexico.

Set to start for Mexico against Germany

According to Lozano, the in-form defenders could be back in the team to face Germany on Tuesday. If it is confirmed that the two will start, they will have their work cut out against a Germany side who have just beaten the USMNT 3-1 but will be eyeing another clean sheet.