GOLD CUP
Mexico prepare changes for the Gold Cup game against Qatar
Jimmy Lozano is looking to switch things up for El Tri’s game against the Gulf nation.
The Mexican National Team is looking to make a host of changes for their final Group B game in the Gold Cup against Qatar. The game, set to take place on 2 July at 21:00 ET at Levi’s Stadium, California, will be another test for new manager Jimmy Lozano as he looks to turn around the fortunes of El Tri.
According to various reports coming from those closest to the squad, Lozano has prepared a variety of changes to the side we have seen in the previous games so far in the tournament, a decision taken in order for him to get a better idea of the players in his squad.
Mexican National Team:
Which players could start for Mexico against Qatar?
Given this news, players such as Diego Lainez, Santiago Giménez, Roberto Alvarado and even possibly a change in goal in order to give some minutes to Luis Ángel Malagón.
Younger players that have been included in the squad, such as Gerardo Arteaga, a left-back playing for Genk in Belgium, could also be given the nod to start against the nation that hosted the 2022 World Cup. Arteaga comes off the back of a suspension handed out by Concacaf after the inappropriate behaviour when Mexico played - and lost - against the USMNT in the Nations League.
Which Mexico players are suspended/injured for the game?
The only players who will not be available are César Montes and Jorge Sánchez, who are both suspended for the game, the former has one game left on his suspension from the heavy USA defeat and the latter is banned due to an accumulation on yellow cards.
Mexico have had a turbulent time ever since the World Cup in Qatar, where they left the tournament at the Group Stage after three disappointing results. Tata Martino was sacked and replaced by Diego Cocca, who never managed to get the team and fans on his wavelength, with the low point being the fan boycott in Mexico’s third-place playoff game in the Nations League against Panama. Jaime Lozano was soon brought in and it seems, despite things still being in the honeymoon period, that he has the capacity to bring a smile back to the faces of those involved.