UANL vs. America: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Liga MX Final
The final showdown of the Liga MX 2014 Apertura tournament is ready. America are close to securing their 12th title, while UANL are seeking to grab their first since 2011.
For the seventh time since the short tournaments were established in Mexico, the squads that finished first and second in the general table of the regular season will face in the final match.
A win for Las Aguilas would set them as the club with more titles in Mexican football, but the task won't be easy, especially since Paul Aguilar will miss the match.
If Tigres manage to secure the title, coach Ricardo Ferretti will become the most successful manager in the club's history.
There's a lot at stake and everything starts on Thursday, December 11 at Estadio Universitario, so let's take a look at the issues and decisions that will shape the the first leg of the Liga MX final.
UANL and America Have Never Met in a Liga MX Final
1 of 5
Overall, America and UANL have faced each other 85 times, but they have never met in a Liga MX final match.
In the 1981/82 season they played in the semi-finals. Tigres secured a 2-0 victory on home soil, and then Las Aguilas defeated UANL 1-0 at the Estadio Azteca, and with a 2-1 aggregate score Tigres not only qualified to the final, but also secured the title.
In the 2005 Apertura, Tigres left America out in the quarter-finals after defeating them at the Estadio Azteca, and registering a 4-5 aggregate score.
Finally, in the 2013 Apertura they played in the quarter-finals again, but this time Las Aguilas continued their road to the title.
From the 1996 Invierno tournament (the first short competition in Mexican football), America have played in five finals, while UANL have only appeared in three.
Antonio Mohamed's Future
2 of 5
Coach Antonio Mohamed may have led America to the first place of the 2014 Apertura's general table, as well as to the final match, but his future with Las Aguilas is coming to an end.
The rumours (h/t Goal.com) started before the Liguilla quarter-finals, as the team went in a five-week winless streak, which included three defeats.
Mohamed said in a press conference that he wasn't sure about the future because the club might want him to leave while he might want to stay, or the other way around.
However, four days later the manager told Univision Deportes (h/t Soccerly.com) that he would end his relationship with America, as he wanted to spend time with his family.
This could affect his players' performance, or even inspire them to say goodbye to their coach in style.
UANL's First Liga MX Final in 6 Tournaments
3 of 5
Despite Ricardo Ferretti's successful long run with UANL—which includes a Liga MX championship, a Copa MX title and a SuperLiga trophy—the club hasn't appeared in a final showdown since the 2011 Apertura.
In that time, Tigres secured their third Liga MX title, and their first since the 1981/82 season.
Since grabbing their last league championship, UANL have qualified to three playoffs.
Santos knocked them off in the 2012 Clausura semi-finals, Monterrey eliminated them in the 2013 Clausura quarter-finals and America kicked them out in the 2013 Apertura.
This could be a great chance for Tigres to take revenge of that last Liguilla, but without Egidio Arevalo and Juninho available to play, Ferretti faces a gloomy picture.
Can America Surprise UANL at Estadio Universitario?
4 of 5
America have not gotten the best results while playing at Estadio Universitario.
In the past 10 years, these teams have faced each other 13 times at UANL's home. Las Aguilas have secured three victories, Tigres have won four times, while there have been six draws.
However, the last time America won at El Volcan was in the 2009 Clausura, when they left with a 2-3 victory, thanks to a Robert de Pinho goal at the 65th minute.
Las Aguilas have to make the most out of UANL's absences. Captain Juninho won't play due to injury, and Egidio Arevalo is suspended, after receiving a red card in the semi-finals.
There won’t be a better chance for America to go back to winning ways at Tigres' turf.
UANL Must Take Advantage of Paul Aguilar's Absence
5 of 5
Paul Aguilar won't make an appearance in any of the two legs of the final.
Mexican website MedioTiempo.com (Spanish) broke the news on Friday. Aguilar hadn't appeared in the semi-finals against Monterrey as he had been separated from the team due to indiscipline and not to an injury.
That same day Antonio Mohamed not only confirmed (h/t Goal.com) the reason why the Mexico international would miss the game versus Rayados, but also why he wouldn't make the final if America were to qualify.
Tactically, this means Ventura Alvarado or Juan Carlos Valenzuela will take over Aguilar's spot, but in all fairness both are far from delivering the same kind of depth and goal opportunities for Las Aguilas.
Jorge Torres and Damian Alvarez need to take advantage of this situation. Both footballers are fast and unbalancing, which will definitively put America's back line in distress.
All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
