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Two very different type of overachievers face off on Thursday in the first leg of their Liga MX Liguilla semifinal tie. Leon is looking to reach their third final since winning promotion back in 2012, while Pachuca are seeking their fifth league title in less than 15 years.
Leon have been typically steady, unbeaten in their last seven games. Luis Fernando Tena's side like to keep things tight at the back and are explosive going forward, with players like Elias Hernandez, Mauro Boselli, and Luis "Chapo" Montes.
La Fiera cruised towards a 5-2 aggregate victory over Monarcas Morelia in the opening round of the Liguilla, and now they are presented with a genuinely significant opportunity to capitalize in the first leg at home.
But Pachuca will be thinking along much the same lines. Diego Alonso has said he specifically wants to establish an adventurous football identity for Los Tuzos. A good result in Guanajuato and subsequently a place in the final would be a statement in that regard in favor of attacking futbol.
The bottom line is that both teams are just two games away from the final. That will make for a tense tie and one likely to produce plenty of exciting moments..
Match date/time: Wednesday 9:06pm EST, 8:06pm local
Venue: Estadio Nou Camp, Leon, Mexico
TV: NBC Universo