Double Clasico in Liga MX Semifinals
Last night, the semifinals of the Clausura 2023 were set, and it will be a show for the ages as there will be two clasicos that will define the finalists of this tournament. It is the first time that there is a Regio Clasico in the semifinals since Tigres passed through Monterrey in the semis of the Clausura 2019 and eventually won the title against Leon. As for the National Clasico, this will be the first semifinal the archrivals play against each other since America eliminated Chivas in the Clausura 2007.
This will be the fifth (82/83, 90/91, A06, C07) time America and Chivas will play a semifinal round, with the tally being tied between both teams with two wins each. In the other bracket, this will be the fourth (C03, A05, A19) semifinals between Rayados and Tigres with Rayados having advanced two out of those three times.
America almost didn’t make it
Chivas had to go past their city rivals Atlas to reach these semifinals. Atlas beat chivas in the first leg of the quarter finals, however in the second leg an inspired Chivas were able to score at home after Vega took a corner that was correctly headed by ‘Tiba’ Sepulveda. Paunovic’s team looks very solid after having served their city archrivals and have been going on an ascending trend as they have won five of their last eight games, tied one and lost once against classic rivals Atlas and America.
Meanwhile, America put on a class show on Wednesday against San Luis, but had to bring out the praying book after San Luis tied the series 3-3. A late goal by Brian Rodriguez on a counter attack put the prayers to rest and put the Coapa team back on track. It will be the fourth consecutive semifinals that Fernando ‘Tano’ Ortiz reaches since he became head coach.
Tigres almost didn’t make it either
In the other bracket, the most uneven of matches was won by Monterrey. The team coached by their guru Victor Manuel Vucetich hasn’t lost any gas since finishing first during the regular season and after a tense first leg against Santos ended goalless, they finished the job at home with two goals (Funes Mori, Maximiliano Meza).
Tigres however was the team that suffered the most out of all semifinalists. After an exhibition of good football, and an impressive game by their two young talismans, Sebastian Cordova and Diego Lainez–aided by the eternal Gignac–they scored four goals at home and almost sealed the series.
It’s no surprise to see Toluca come back at their home, given the height of the city (2660 meters above sea level) and the time of the day their games are usually played (noon local time). Yesterday’s match was no exception, with three goals coming in during the first half, the Diablos were on the verge of their second consecutive final, however a great play between Gignac and Juan Pablo Vigon inside the box, ended with a cross by the frenchman that Cordova put on the net with a header.
The semifinals are set, and an unprecedented double clasico is set to shake the league and its fans. Will we see another edition of a final between America and Monterrey (A2019) or America and Tigres (A2016), or perhaps another final between Chivas and Tigres (C2017). Regardless of the outcome, it’s a show that cannot be missed.
