This weekend the Liga MX will come to an end, we will know what teams will be in the playoffs, what teams will be out and which team will finish in first. The first-place finish will be decided in the 113th edition of the Clasico Regio when Monterrey will host Tigres UANL at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer this Saturday. Both teams have star-studded rosters and should present a highly entertaining match, here are five players to keep an eye on for this match.
1.Andre-Pierre Gignac
Gignac has made a significant impact in the Liga MX but had not been significant against Monterrey up until the last tournament. The French striker scored four goals against Los Rayados in the quarterfinals of the Liga MX Clausura 2017 to lead Tigres past Monterrey. With those four goals in last season’s playoffs Gignac now has five goals in eight matches against La Pandilla and is slowly climbing up the history books to be one of the most influential figures at Tigres UANL. The European forward had struggled throughout the Clausura 2017 but experienced a revival towards the end of the regular season that lasted throughout the playoffs.
Ricardo Ferretti will be hoping for the same in this Apertura and an impactful performance in this match to translate that momentum heading into the playoffs. Gignac has had a subpar season with only four goals but a stellar performance in this game can make all the difference to how his Apertura 2017 tournament is perceived.
2.Aviles Hurtado
The 113th edition of the Clasico Regio will be Aviles Hurtado’s first and it is exciting to see what impact he can have on such an important game. The Colombian forward has been having an amazing season under Antonio Mohamed with 10 goals in 15 games. His success already received the attention of Jose Pekerman as Hurtado just received his first call-up to the Colombian national team.
At 30 years old Hurtado seems to be in the best form of his life and it is now time to see what he can do in the games that count. The South American winger has added massively to an already potent Monterrey offense and has become arguably Antonio Mohamed’s most important player.
3.Jonathan Gonzalez
One of the biggest revelations for Monterrey this season has been 18-year-old midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez. The California native has earned the trust of manager Antonio Mohamed and is getting playing time over Jesus Molina in that Monterrey midfield.
The youngster just made his Liga MX debut this season and now has already featured in 14 games, 12 of those coming as a starter. This will be Gonzalez’s biggest game in his young career and it will be very interesting to see how he will fare against a very talented and experienced Tigres UANL side in his first Clasico Regio.
4.Enner Valencia
The Ecuadorian striker has had an amazing debut season with Tigres UANL, currently leading the team with nine goals. His debut with his new team was spectacular as Valencia managed to score a hat-trick against Puebla. This will be Valencia’s first Clasico Regio and it is time to see how the Ecuadorian will do in these extremely vital games heading into the playoffs.
The South American forward has scored three goals in Tigres’ last three games and will be heading into this game with good momentum. Valencia has adapted very well in his return to the Liga MX and with his teammates, creating one of the more imposing attacks in the league.
5.Rafael Carioca
Without Guido Pizarro, the focal point of Ricardo Ferretti’s midfield is now his countryman Rafael Carioca. The Brazilian midfielder was brought in for that void in the midfield after Pizarro’s departure and he has been performing very well in that role.
The 28 year old’s biggest attribute is clearly his vision and distribution skills as he has posted an 86.5-percent pass accuracy in 10 games this season but his recovery skills are also very good. This will be Carioca’s first Clasico Regio and he will have a huge responsibility filling in that role that normally belonged to Guido Pizarro in the last few years.
How to Watch Monterrey vs Tigres UANL
The Monterrey vs Tigres UANL match will be broadcast this Saturday, November 18 at 5:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
Watch Live Online: Sling TV (Watch 7 Days Free)
