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LIGA MX

Siboldi lambasts Liga MX Play-in format

The Tigres coach prefers the old qualification system, where the teams in the first eight places went directly to the Liguilla.

Edgar Martínezgarymtzjr
Andy Hall
MonterreyUpdate:
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The Tigres coach prefers the old qualification system, where the teams in the first eight places went directly to the Liguilla.
Antonio OjedaEFE

One week before the regular phase of Apertura 2023 reaches its conclusion, different opinions are being voiced about the Liga MX’s new qualification format. Some observers are in favor of the ‘Play-in’ format, while several are against it - Tigres coach Robert Dante Siboldi is one of them.

Siboldi lambasts Liga MX Play-in format
Tigres
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Siboldi says that he is not a fan of the play-in format because there is still a large number of clubs who have a chance of qualifying heading into the Week 17 games. He explained that he sees no reason why the old, reliable process, with eight teams directly to the Liguilla was changed.

“In my opinion, it’s not ideal, because of the 18 teams in the competition, 10 have a chance of qualifying and that’s a lot. Before, there were 12 teams in the league - imagine that the format had been maintained, but was closer to what it should be. At least eight, I think the fair thing should be eight teams qualifying directly and nothing more. But we know that the regulations have been in place since before the tournament starts and cannot be changed, they accept that it is played like this,” he argued.

However, while the Uruguayan admits that although he prefers the Liguilla system, maybe improvements can be made so that the most consistent team gets more recognition. That has been addressed and is one of the changes due to come in next year.

“The Liguilla is still a great tournament to play in a different way, we all like it. Whether it is fair or not, the most consistent team should be rewarded in some way. We need to find a format to reward the regularity in the two tournaments, that needs to be improved. I don’t dislike the Liguilla - it’s just that there are too many teams that can qualify. That’s what I don’t like,” he added.

Siboldi joins Ricardo Ferretti among the coaches who disapprove of this new qualification system. The Brazilian gave his verdict on the new format on ESPN where he now works as a pundit.