LIGA MX
USMNT star Alejandro Zendejas injured: will the Club América winger be fit for the Liga MX Clausura 2023 playoffs?
The Mexican-born attacker was forced off in the weekend victory over Juárez, two weeks before the start of the ‘liguilla’.
Club América finished in second place in the league phase of the Liga MX Clausura 2023 tournament to qualify directly for the playoff quarter-finals, but they face a wait to discover who they will face, with the preliminary round set to take place next weekend (6-7 May). Fernando Ortiz’s men have some time to rest up before the serious business gets underway but it looks as if the Águilas boss may not have a full squad to choose from when the liguilla kicks off. USMNT winger Alejandro Zendejas was forced off in victory over Juárez on Saturday and, although the injury isn’t thought to be too serious, he could be forced to miss at least one game.
How long will América winger Alejandro Zendejas be out?
According to TUDN reporter Julio Ibáñez, the former Necaxa attacker suffered a minor injury to his right leg and will not be rushed back in to action by América. As a result, it is thought that he is in danger of missing the first leg of the quarter-final but would be available to play in the return clash.
Another train of thought is that Las Águilas could push his return to action back until the semi-final stage were they to win the first leg of the last-eight clash by a comfortable margin. Uruguayan forward Federico Viñas, who has also been suffering from fitness issues of late, is reported to be back to full fitness and ready to play.
Las Águilas arrange friendly to keep sharpness
Because of the playoff preliminary round, América are due to have a total of two weeks off between matches, which has caused the club to schedule a friendly match against Liga de Expansión MX side Alebrijes de Oaxaca in order for the players to maintain their match sharpness. The game will be held tomorrow Wednesday 3 May at Estadio Azteca.
When are the Liga MX Clausura 2023 quarter-finals?
The first legs of the liguilla quarter-finals will be played on Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May, with the second legs on Tuesday 17 May and Wednesday 18 May.
Los Azulcremas finished second in the Liga MX standings to Monterrey, despite losing only one of their 17 fixtures, compared to Rayados’ three losses. Seven draws ultimately proved to be América’s downfall as they finished six points adrift of the league leaders.