Liga MX: What Club America Need to Win the Title

CClub America have the chance to defend their title in the 2013 Apertura tournament, after drawing both games of the two-legged quarterfinal against Tigres.The 3-3 aggregate score was enough to put Las Aguilas on track to becoming the second club to win back-to-back titles since the Mexican Football Federation established a new tournament system for the Liga MX in 1996.Under the management of Miguel Herrera, Las Aguilas won the Clausura 2013 tournament, their first league title since 2005, when they beat Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, now playing in the Ascenso MX tournament, Mexico’s promotion league.

Las Aguilas had a shaky start this season. After three matchdays they sat 15th, however they managed to overcome adversity and by the seventh week they were already leading the tournament.It was clear that the squad was in great shape. They were the first team to qualify for the playoffs when there were four matchdays still to play.They were doing so good that the Mexican Football Federation decided to appoint Herrera as Mexico's interim coach in hope that he could overturn El Tri’s dreadful year and qualify them to the World Cup.Herrera took the job and capped 10 of his footballers for the two-legged playoff against New Zealand.

The physical wear is evident. Some of the players who traveled to Wellington have not been at their best, especially the defenders.Francisco Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Valenzuela made childish mistakes in both games, but Aquivaldo Mosquera was at his best and he even scored the equalizer.The weakest line is the defense. There is a lot of room for improvement ahead of the game against Toluca, a team that has not lost in the last 10 games.Club America’s strength lays on the attack, especially through the flanks, and they need to take advantage of it.

Miguel Layun has given the team flexibility with long runs and perfect crosses, Rubens Sambueza has been a cornerstone in set pieces and Raul Jimenez’s aerial game gets better week after week.The 5-3-2 system suits Club America perfectly. The midfield is key because Herrera has always been the kind of coach who emphasizes the importance of ball possession.It is very important that Las Aguilas put emphasis on possession in the next couple of games. Toluca will be a tough rival because they are strong, fast and accurate.

Liga MX: What Club America Need to Win the Title