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For all the anxious uncertainty of what sort of physical shape Club America will show up in for this match, the thing about finals is that you still need to win them. After a long trip to Japan for the Club World Cup, las Aguilas play host to Tigres in the first leg of the Liga MX final.
When the series kicks off on Thursday, Club America will be looking for their 13th league title. If there is one team that knows how to win trophies it is las Aguilas.
In that sense, the pressure is on Tigres to put up a good first-leg performance. The Universitarios arrive on the back of more than two weeks without playing a competitive match, but understandably, they will be seen as favorites to win against a jet lagged America side.
On the pitchline, the managers will have a duel of their own. Tuca and Ricardo La Volpe are among two of the most respected managers in the history of the Mexican game.
La Volpe, in particular, has lost just once, against Real Madrid, since taking over the team back in September. His style of play has always garnered plenty of praise, but with America, he has yet to properly fulfill the potential of this team. Against Andre-Pierre Gignac and Co., las Aguilas will need to be at their best if they want to go into the Universitario with any form of advantage.
Match date/time: Thursday 9:30pm EST, 8:30pm local
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
TV: Univision (US- Spanish), Univision Deportes Network (US - Spanish)
Streaming: fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)