5 Key Battles for Liga MX Week 9
Week 9 of the 2014 Apertura is around the corner. Several clubs are hoping to finally tip the scale in their favor after dreadful performances, while the fans are excited to finally see Ronaldinho in the Liga MX.
America still lead the tournament despite lacking the final touch in the past three weeks. But Luis Gabriel Rey could be the key to opening the floodgates.
The youngsters will continue to pour their hearts out in hope of securing the starting position; such is the case of Jesus Escoboza, who has scored two times in his past couple of appearances.
On the other front, Alfredo Talavera will continue to help Toluca in their quest to qualify for the Liguilla, but Dorlan Pabon could put him in distress.
And, yes, Ronaldinho will debut in the Liga MX, his second official game with Queretaro.
Let’s take a look at this week’s key battles.
Luis Gabriel Rey (America) vs. Miguel Angel Herrera (Pachuca)
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Luis Gabriel Rey comes to Week 9 after a fantastic performance against Puerto Rico Bayamon in the CONCACAF Champions League.
The forward bagged a hat-trick in Las Aguilas' 10-1 win at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, proving he is ready to make a difference for the team.
America have not scored in the past three matchdays of the Liga MX, despite having powerful players on the squad.
Rey will have to defeat Pachuca centre-back Miguel Angel Herrera, who has become one of the most reliable defenders of the league.
Herrera is a ferocious defender. He knows how to cover tightly and keep the ball until he finds someone who can pull off an offensive play.
He was recently capped by Miguel Herrera (not related) to face Chile and Bolivia, and he did fine.
Hernan Pellerano (Tijuana) vs. Jesus Escoboza (Santos Laguna)
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Jesus Escoboza has been a key element in Santos Laguna thanks to his speed and dribbling skills, which result in a very unbalancing player.
Those assets put him on Miguel Herrera's radar. He eventually debuted with the Mexico national team in a friendly against Finland in which he scored.
Although he is not an undisputed starter in the Liga MX, Escoboza put the ball away last weekend just three minutes after he came onto the pitch.
In the latest Copa MX matchday he scored once against Monterrey.
Tijuana's Hernan Pellerano needs to perform at his very best because Escoboza knows how to work in tight spaces.
Pellerano is one of the key men in Daniel Guzman's defensive line, and this is the kind of game in which he needs to make a statement.
Alfredo Talavera (Toluca) vs. Dorlan Pabon (Monterrey)
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Dorlan Pabon is still the best scorer of the tournament, and that is with one pending match.
The Colombian forward has put the ball away seven times in the Liga MX. But he has also been a thriving force in the Copa MX, where he has four balls to his name, along with other four footballers, as per Scoresway.
Alfredo Talavera, who returned to the Liga MX last weekend after an injury that sidelined him from El Tri's friendly matches, has received seven goals and records three clean sheets.
Toluca sit fifth in the general table, while Los Rayados could take over the lead of the tournament if they win and America lose or tie.
Juan Carlos Medina (Atlas) vs. Mauro Formica (Cruz Azul)
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Mauro Formica has scored only once in the Liga MX, but he seems to have recovered his knack for goalscoring after putting the ball away once in the latest CONCACAF Champions League matchday.
Formica is lethal when he finds an open space, and working with Christian Gimenez and Marco Fabian has been a confidence booster.
He must be sharp against Atlas because Juan Carlos Medina is a strong midfielder who helps the defense when in distress.
Medina will be instrumental for Los Zorros not only in keeping the ball, but also in creating goal opportunities.
Plus, El Negrito needs to show he is back on track if he wants to get another chance with El Tri.
Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara) vs. Ronaldinho (Queretaro)
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This weekend will be quite a challenge for Carlos Salcido.
The former Mexico international is the most experienced man of Guadalajara's defensive line, and he will need to lead his teammates to perfection if they want to stop Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian debuted with Queretaro in the fifth match of the Copa MX but missed a penalty kick, which could have given Gallos Blancos the draw against Tigres.
Salcido has lost his speed, but he keeps his fine touch and ball possession intact. His experience and leadership will be his most valuable assets.
All Liga MX stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC; all Copa MX stats appear courtesy of MedioTiempo.com unless otherwise noted.
