LIGA MX
Why will Tigres striker André-Pierre Gignac not play in the next Liga MX Apertura 2023 game against Chivas?
The Frenchman scored the equalising goal as Los Auriazules came from behind to defeat Cruz Azul on Saturday.
Tigres are on a fine run of form at the moment, with Saturday’s 2-1 dramatic victory over Cruz Azul extending their unbeaten streak to six games in all competitions. However, they will be without a key component of their team for next weekend’s clash away to Guadalajara: striker André-Pierre Gignac.
Gignac shown fifth yellow card against Cruz Azul
Prior to his team falling behind to La Máquina at Estadio Universitario, the Frenchman was shown a yellow card for dissent by referee Edgar Morales. Gignac had been fiercely critical of the match official’s decision to award a foul against him and was cautioned for his protests. That was his fifth booking of the season, which means he has incurred a one-match ban, which he must now serve against Chivas.
The 37-year-old joined Tigres in July 2015 but had never before served a suspension in his eight years in Mexico. In the Apertura 2023 tournament, he was previously shown yellow cards against León, Necaxa, Monterrey and Toluca.
French striker’s goalscoring heroics with Tigres
Gignac has, instead, been known for his incredible goalscoring feats, having found the net 195 times in 356 games in all competitions since moving to San Nicolás de los Garza. That has enabled him to win the Liga MX Golden Boot on three occasions and be named in the Mexican league’s best XI six times. In addition, Tigres have won 12 trophies since signing the striker, including five Liga MX titles and the CONCACAF Champions League in 2020.
The Apertura 2023 tournament has been no different, with Gignac scoring seven goals in nine matches, as well as providing three assists. Following their late win over Cruz Azul, Robert Siboldi’s side are second in the standings and are well on course to qualify for the quarter-finals of the playoffs.