Week 8 of the Liga MX 2019 Clausura featured several interesting games and storylines throughout the weekend. Here are FutnSoccer’s power rankings after a very intriguing weekend of play in Mexico’s top-flight division.
- Monarcas Morelia
Morelia fell 3-0 to Queretaro in Week 8 as manager Roberto Hernandez received the boot shortly after the result. La Monarquia only has four points, has the second-worst defense in the league and is tied for the second-worst offense in the competition.
- Veracruz
It took Veracruz 659 minutes to score a goal this season as Los Escualos tied 1-1 against Cruz Azul. Los Tiburones Rojos are doomed for relegation, but still have talented players like Sebastian Jurado and Cristian Menendez that can keep the team competitive in certain games.
- Queretaro
Queretaro defeated Morelia 3-0 and broke a horrendous seven-game losing streak to begin the 2019 Clausura. Los Gallos Blancos are getting back on track with the return of Victor Manuel Vucetich as manager and still have interesting players like Camilo Sanvezzo and Daniel Villalva.
- Toluca
Toluca is on a six-game winless streak in league play and fired manager Hernan Cristante after losing 4-0 to Santos Laguna this weekend. Los Diablos Rojos are tied for the second-worst attack in the league with only six goals scored, which is unacceptable given the talent on the roster.
- Lobos BUAP
The weakness of Lobos’ backline with Francisco Rodriguez and Michael Orozco has really cost the team, coming off a 3-0 loss to Club America. Leonardo Ramos is still scoring goals for Los Poblanos, but he picked up an injury in the game against America, which could be catastrophic for the team.
- Atlas
Los Rojinegros are on a three-game losing streak and have only scored one goal in this bad run of form. The team from Guadalajara had a nice start to the season, but simply does not have the quality to keep on performing at a consistent level.
- Cruz Azul
La Maquina is currently in crisis mode, now in 14th place with nine points, winless in its last four league games. The biggest problem has been the attack as Jonathan Rodriguez, Milton Caraglio and Martin Cauteruccio have combined for just one goal scored this season.
- Puebla
La Franja had an impressive 0-0 draw against Monterrey in Week 8 and is undefeated since the return of manager Jose Luis Sanchez Sola. Puebla has a talented squad, but just needs to find ways to be more effective in front of net with only seven goals scored this semester.
- Necaxa
Los Rayos lost to Club Tijuana 2-1 and are now on a three-game winless streak, but Brian Fernandez keeps on scoring and still gives hope to this side.
- Pumas UNAM
Pumas UNAM lost its first Liga MX game under the leadership of Bruno Marioni, but it was an ugly 3-1 defeat against Leon. The Mexico City team has still accumulated seven points in four games with Marioni and still has hope going forward.
- Club Tijuana
The Xolos had a big 2-1 away win against Necaxa and are now in a playoff position after a disastrous start to the season. Tijuana’s attack is the main talking point of the team with players like Miller Bolanos, Gustavo Bou and Ariel Nahuelpan.
- Santos Laguna
Los Guerreros are coming off a huge 4-0 win against Toluca at home and are now undefeated in three consecutive league games. However, there are still major concerns with the team as Julio Furch has been out of form all season with just two goals scored.
- Chivas
Chivas is coming off a dreadful 3-1 loss to Pachuca as the team’s weaknesses were exposed heavily in the encounter. Chivas has talented attackers and a very solid defense that has only allowed seven goals and should be able to stay competitive going forward.
- Pachuca
Pachuca has looked like a completely different team since the appointment of Martin Palermo in Week 4. Los Tuzos have not lost in league play with Palermo and had a tremendous 3-1 win against Chivas de Guadalajara in Week 8.
- Club America
Las Aguilas are just hanging onto a playoff spot, currently in eighth place with 12 points, but still have a game in hand. Club America’s has been improving in recent weeks as the team now fully counts with new signings Nicolas Benedetti and Nicolas Castillo.
- Tigres UANL
Tigres UANL still arguably has the best roster in the league and it helps that Andre-Pierre Gignac has been in form with six goals scored. However, Ricardo Ferretti’s team has not been playing very attractively and can be inconsistent in the backline.
- Monterrey
Monterrey is still undefeated this season and the big difference between Rayados and Tigres is that there is security in Los Rayados’ backline with players like Nicolas Sanchez, Cesar Montes and Jose Maria Basanta.
- Leon
Leon has been the most attractive team to watch this season and La Fiera are coming off a dominant 3-1 win against Pumas UNAM. Angel Mena has been the star man with 13 total goal contributions this season as Los Esmeraldas have the second-best offense and are tied for the best defense in the tournament.
