5 Key Battles for Liga MX Week 14
Week 14 is around the corner, and with it another chance for those footballers who are part of troubled teams to try and turn things around. For those in the top clubs, this will be great chance to keep the momentum going.
Let's start with Guadalajara goalkeeper Jose Antonio Rodriguez, whose performances have been far from impressive. There's no time to waste, since Chivas are getting closer to relegation.
Ronaldinho has been a thriving force for Queretaro; however, Gallos Blancos are still outside the Liguilla qualification zone, as they sit 12th in the general table.
Hiram Mier is set to return for the Monterrey Derby, while Javier Orozco will seek to continue his goalscoring tear, after a successful performance against Chivas in the Copa MX.
Let's take a look at the key battles of the 2014 Apertura Matchday 14.
Ronaldinho (Queretaro) vs. Jesus Molina (America)
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Ronaldinho is ready to get back in business after Queretaro's 1-2 loss to Tijuana.
Last weekend the Brazilian opened the score for Gallos Blancos, but ultimately the home team won the match.
However, Dinho has been a thriving force for his club. After five appearances, he has put the ball away three times and has created nine goal opportunities, including one assist.
His mobility around the pitch has given Queretaro more options in the attacking zone. Ronaldinho puts together plays from the center of the pitch and the flanks easily.
America centre-back Jesus Molina needs to perform at his best if he wants to stop the Brazilian. So far, Molina has been an undisputed starter since Matchday 7.
Javier Orozco (Santos Laguna) vs. Dario Veron (UNAM)
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Javier Orozco comes off from scoring a brace against Guadalajara in the Copa MX. Chuletita is also Santos Laguna's top scorer in the Liga MX, with a total tally of five goals.
On Friday Los Guerreros will face UNAM at Estadio Corona, where the team last won in Matchday 8.
It is crucial that Orozco keeps the momentum going. He puts the ball away in a regular basis, but he also creates opportunities and assists his teammates.
Chuletita is the most accurate man on the squad, with 13 shots on target (an average of 81 percent), overall he converts 31 percent of them.
Dario Veron has been an undisputed starter in UNAM's defense since he arrived in Mexico in 2003. The Paraguayan has the ability to keep the ball, plus his strength allows him to charge the rivals easily.
During the 2014 Apertura, Veron records 94 clearances, 43 interceptions and 15 blocks. He is also a valuable asset in the attacking zone, mainly due to his fine touch and strong aerial game.
Hiram Mier (Monterrey) vs. Gerardo Lugo (UANL)
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Hiram Mier has missed five games due to a knee injury. However, he is set to come back in the Clasico Regiomontano (Monterrey Derby).
The Mexico international has established himself as a reliable centre-back, who can also play through the right flank.
He has appeared seven times this season, in which he has completed 83 percent of the passes he has sent, including 15 long balls.
Gerardo Lugo needs to take advantage of the Monterrey defender's lack of playing time. The UANL's forward has started the past five games, and he has scored four goals ever since.
Lugo is also an asset when it comes to creating opportunities, he has sent 11 key passes, all of them from the center of the pitch and the right flank.
He also knows how to help the defense when in distress. Lugo has made six interceptions and three clearances.
Edgar Benitez (Toluca) vs. Jonny Magallon (Leon)
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Edgar Benitez is on fire. He has scored three times in the past three matchdays.
He put the ball away twice against Guadalajara (Week 11) and once versus Puebla (Week 12), all of them with the left foot.
Benitez is lethal when he steps into the penalty box from the left flank. This season he has created 13 goal opportunities, 46.2 percent of them from that side.
Jonny Magallon needs to rely on his experience to overpower Benitez. The Leon defender is currently 32 years old and must compensate his lack of speed with intelligence and leadership.
Magallon has made 35 clearances, 22 interceptions and four blocks, for an average of five defensive actions per game.
He needs to keep the ball as much as possible and pass it accurately to the midfielders and forwards, which doesn't seem to be a problem, as he has completed 85 percent of the passes he has sent.
Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Guadalajara) vs. Dario Benedetto (Tijuana)
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Guadalajara are going through a terrible slump and their back line has been a mess.
Jose Antonio Rodriguez has allowed 15 goals in 12 appearances, 66.7 percent of them from open plays. In the past three matches, he has conceded six goals.
This week he has the tough task to face Dario Benedetto, Tijuana's top scorer.
Benedetto has put the ball away six times, four with the right foot, one with the left foot and another one with the head.
Aside from his knack for goalscoring, Benedetto is quite the playmaker. He has created 13 goal chances, including two assists.
Benedetto is a footballer with vision who fights for every ball, despite the pitch zone. He usually starts the plays through the center, but he can also work through the flanks.
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