Tigres - Club América: possible starting XIs for the 2023 Liga MX final first leg

Club América are set to go up against Tigres in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura final (KO 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.). It will be the third time the two sides face each other in a final and is the most common match-up in short tournaments.

Ahead of the game, we take a look at the potential starting line-ups for both Las Águilas and Los Felinos.

André Jardine, the América coach, has tough decisions to make as he plays the first game away from home at the Estadio Universitario in Nuevo León on December 14.

The second leg will take place on December 17 at the Estadio Azteca.

Team news: Tigres

Tigres UANL, about whom Claudio Suárez said “can’t be considered among the greats”, have the absence of Luis Quiñones firmly in their minds. He suffered a calf issue against Pumas but there is hope that he can be back for the second leg.

A potentially catastrophic injury to Andre-Pierre Gignac had Tigres fans praying, but he was available for the semi-final game against Pumas and is, therefore, expected to play from the off against Las Águilas. Robert Dante Siboldi, the Tigres manager, also later confirmed that Gignac is indeed OK to play: “Today [Gignac] didn’t feel anything, he played well and without any pain, he participated and is ready for the final”.

Team news: Club América

The good news for Club América is that there are no suspensions and very few injury worries for André Jardine, who only has Néstor Araújo’s absence to contend with. The defender is recovering from a right knee ligament injury and has missed the entire season. Apart from that, the physio room is empty.

Brian Rodríguez trained with the team ahead of the final and is thought to be available for the game. More good news comes in the shape of Kevin Álvarez, who is also fit to play: whether he will or not he will start is another matter.

Liga MX Apertura final first leg possible starting XIs: