Possible Mexico starting lineup for game 1 of the group stage vs Poland
How will El Tri line-up for the critical Group C clash as they face a Poland side led by Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.
Ask any Mexico fan of their greatest fear at the 2022 World Cup and they will tell you that losing to the White Eagles is the number one source of anxiety.
Both El Tri and Poland share Group C with Saudi Arabia and Argentina with most anticipating that the Albiceleste will top the group leading to a dogfight for second position and a place in the next round.
Mexico’s strong record of being unbeaten in their World Cup openers is a statistic any team could fear. They won five and drew one in the most recent six tournaments, always making it to the knockout stage.
The last time Mexico failed to find their way past the group stage was back in 1978 -- when they earned zero points in the group Poland topped.
This, however, is where the pros seem to end for Mexico this time round.
Coach Gerardo Martino’s side is short in the striker department as, to the bafflement of Mexico’s fans, the Argentine decided to leave out their all-time top scorer Javier Hernandez despite his good form this season.
Further dampening the mood, Mexico lost their last pre-World Cup friendly against Sweden, conceding a late goal and heading to Qatar last week with many feeling that the Argentine is ill equipped to oversee the national team.
Possible Mexico vs Poland
It’s in attack where Mexico appear to come up short with Wolves striker far from 100% fit following his race against the clock to recover from a long-term deep groin tear. Club America’s Henry Martin failed to shine in the recent warm up games and Monterrey striker Funes Mori is also coming back from a recent injury but as things stand, everything points to the Aguilas striker getting the nod for the clash at Stadium 974.
On a brighter not for El Tri fans, Hirving Lozano has been in sparkling form for Serie side Napoli this season and despite being a traditionally wide player, the 27-year-old has a knack of getting among the goals.
Possible Mexico XI:
Guillermo Ochoa; Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo; Edson Álvarez, Héctor Herrera, Luis Chávez; Alexis Vega, Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and Henry Martín.