After falling 3-0 to Chivas in the Clasico Nacional, Club America visits Cruz Azul in the latest edition of the Clasico Joven. The eighth round of matches also includes potential debuts for newcomers Andy Delort, Alan Pulido and Erick "Cubo" Torres. Here's what to watch for:
Clasico Joven takes over Mexico City
There are differences in temperament between America boss Ignacio Ambriz and Cruz Azul manager Tomas Boy. Ambriz likes to work behind the scenes, while Boy enjoys having the cameras on him. Saturday (6 p.m. ET) at Estadio Azul, another edition of the Clasico Joven headlines Liga MX's Week 8.
America enters its second Clasico of the season after falling to its hated rival, Chivas, in the Clasico Nacional by a final score of 3-0 at Estadio Azteca. The loss rattled the America camp, putting into question if Ambriz was the right man for the job. Three days after the 3-0 thrashing, players and directors held a news conference to demonstrate union in the club and confirm Ambriz had the total support from the club's captains Oribe Peralta, Rubens Sambueza, Moises Munoz and the club's sporting president, Ricardo Pelaez.
Over at Cruz Azul, Boy has had a tough time getting everyone on the same boat. His Cruz Azul has had an uninspiring start, with only one win, five draws and one loss. Nonetheless, La Maquina could potentially make a serious run to the Liguilla if it manages to get the win the Clasico Joven.
The last Clasico Joven that took place was an intrepid one, in which America and Cruz Azul provided a true spectacle for the crowd that went to Estadio Azteca. The final result read 3-3, but there was more than just the score. Peralta, Darwin Quintero, and even Boy were sent off by referee Jose Alfredo Penaloza. Also, Cruz Azul came back from a 3-1 deficit to steal a point from Las Aguilas.
Against Cruz Azul, Ambriz hopes to have Peralta back in the XI. Peralta's presence is crucial for the team, considering that forward Quintero is out after thrombophlebitis was detected in his right leg. The date of of Quintero's return to the field is still unknown. If Cruz Azul's aspires to continue complicating Ambriz's time at America, Joao Rojas, Jorge Benitez and Jonatan Cristaldo will have to bring their A-game to Estadio Azul.
Expect to see a flamboyant Boy if Cruz Azul beats America, while Ambriz needs to focus on winning the fans back after America's devastating defeat to Chivas. That being said, Ambriz can take a huge step toward redemption with a win in the Clasico Joven.
League's newcomers could see playing time
The past week was the last one Liga MX clubs could make last-minute additions. Several clubs made notable ones -- Tigres signed French striker Andy Delort from Caen, Chivas repatriated Alan Pulido from Olympiakos and Cruz Azul agreed to bring in Erick "Cubo" Torres on loan from the Houston Dynamo.
With less flash and fanfare Monterrey confirmed the signing of promising Honduran striker, Alberth Elis. The question moving forward is whether it is helpful for clubs to make significant acquisitions seven weeks into the season.
After looking at the specific cases at Chivas, Cruz Azul and Tigres, it's Chivas and Tigres that have made additions that should significantly improve the depth of their squads. Chivas got another striker to compete for a starting role against youngsters, Angel Zaldivar and Marco Bueno, while Tigres got the attacking accomplice Andre-Pierre Gignac asked for after Rafael Sobis returned to Brazil. Bringing Torres in can be interpreted as a risk for Cruz Azul, but Boy seems confident that he can get the best out of him.
Delort, Pulido and Cubo could all be making their Apertura debuts in Week 8. If these signings have an immediate impact on their clubs, will more Liga MX clubs consider making these extremely late additions come next season? We'll have to wait and see.
Pumas hopes to extend positive home record against a desperate Queretaro
Pumas and Xolos are the only teams that have been able to win all of their home games in the Apertura. It's that home winning streak that has Pumas only five points off first place.
Meanwhile Queretaro will be coming to Pumas' Estadio Olimpico Universitario after two consecutive 2-1 losses. Los Gallos Blancos started the season on a six-game unbeaten streak, and what's strange is that their consecutive losses came against inconsistent sides like Leon and Necaxa.
If Queretaro really wants to finish among the top eight, it must get a win or even a draw in Ciudad Universitaria, and a player like Angel Sepulveda, who's fresh off a brilliant debut with national team, could be the difference-maker. The last home game that Pumas played in Mexico City, it put five goals past Monterrey's defense, but it conceded three. Considering both teams had two weeks to prepare for this match, it will be highly unlikely to see this game finish with eight goals.