The Uruguayan coach Sebastián Abreu's Tijuana is on the verge of sealing their spot in the semifinals of the Mexican Apertura tournament after a commanding victory over Tigres. Meanwhile, América's fate hangs in the balance. Abreu, known as 'El Loco,' is just ninety minutes away from reaching the final four after his team's impressive 3-0 win at home against Tigres, coached by Ángel Correa and André-Pierre Gignac, in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
Tijuana's Tactical Masterclass
Tijuana delivered a statement victory, almost fatally wounding what was previously the tournament's best defense, meticulously built by Argentine coach Guido Pizarro. Despite the convincing win, Abreu remains cautious, emphasizing that his team is still not the favorite. He praised the collective effort of his Xoloitzcuintles in neutralizing a Tigres squad brimming with talent, including World Champion Correa and prolific scorer Gignac.
Tigres' Uphill Battle at El Volcán
Abreu's cautious approach seems wise as they prepare for the return leg at the Estadio Universitario in Nuevo León. Tigres must win by at least three goals to stay alive in the championship. Pizarro, 35, remains optimistic, stating, "There's still a lot of time, and we have a great chance to advance playing at home with our fans. We need to change our approach and go for the comeback."
AI Predicts a Tigres Fightback
The mission seems daunting, but hope remains alive in San Nicolás de los Garza. After suffering a heavy defeat in the first leg, Tigres will host Tijuana this Sunday, November 30, to conclude the Apertura 2025 Liga MX quarterfinals. The Estadio Universitario will be the stage for either an epic comeback or the confirmation of a tournament upset.
- Tigres need a perfect night, winning by three goals to advance.
- Tijuana can advance with a win, draw, or even a loss by up to two goals.
The first leg at Estadio Caliente was a nightmare for Tigres. Despite a controlled start under Guido Pizarro's strategy, the team crumbled after conceding the first goal, ending with a 3-0 deficit. Tijuana capitalized on every Tigres error, with goals from Kevin Castañeda, El Ghezouani, and Gilberto Mora providing a significant advantage.
Can Tigres pull off the impossible, or will Tijuana continue their surprising run in the Apertura 2025?