Club America heads to the Estadio Jalisco for their matchday four showdown against Atlas. With the home side looking to make a statement against one of the league’s heavyweights, this match promises to be exciting. However, Sunday’s game is expected to be a tight contest. Given both teams are desperate to change their current league standings. Both sides will be aiming for a win to wash away their Leagues Cup disappointment and climb the table.
Atlas vs Club America Preview: Quiñones Returns to the Estadio Jalisco
Injury Woes for Club America
Club America comes into this game with some notable absences. Manager André Jardine will have to play without the services of striker Henry Martin and central defender Sebastián Cáceres. Both of whom suffered injuries during their recent Leagues Cup campaign. This will undoubtedly be a setback for America, as Martin has been their leading goal scorer in seasons past. While Cáceres has been the most consistent center-back for Las Aguilas. Also, America will not be able to count on Alvaro Fidalgo for this game. He will be serving his final game of suspension from last season’s red card against Chivas in the semifinals. The absence of these players means that the team will have to rely on other squad members to step up.
Julián Quiñones Returns
Julián Quiñones will be at the center of attention for this match. The striker makes his return to the Estadio Jalisco to face his former team, Atlas. Quiñones, who won back-to-back titles with Atlas, is expected to be highly motivated for this game. It will be interesting to see how he responds to playing against his former teammates and in front of the Atlas fans, who once cheered him on. The forward has been in an up-and-down form as of late. With Henry Martin out much depends on Quiñones to lead the line and get on the score sheet. Yet he has struggled at times to play as the lone striker up top holding up play. So the pressure will be on him to showcase to his new fan base that he is up for the task.
🦅3⃣3⃣ pic.twitter.com/T1O81lvV83
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) August 17, 2023
Atlas Plan of Attack
Atlas, who’ve been in decent form this season and will be eager to get a result against Club America. Playing at home, they will have the support of their fans and will look to exploit America’s injury concerns. The absence of Cáceres could be a weakness for the away side, and Atlas will look to target the central defense. It will be crucial for the likes of Néstor Araujo (if fit) or Emilio Lara to pair well with Israel Reyes and step up in Cáceres’ absence. Its no secret America’s defense has been in shambles so Atlas will be keen in exploiting them with speed.
Midfield Battle Crucial
The midfield battle will be another area to watch in this game. Club América boasts a strong midfield with the likes of Jonathan dos Santos, Álvaro Fidalgo, and Diego Valdés, who are capable of controlling the game’s tempo and creating chances for their forwards. Atlas will have to be organized in the middle of the park to deny América space and time on the ball. This will be a key battle, and the team that dominates the midfield will have the upper hand in the contest.
Last Word: Goals Galore
Both teams will come into this game with a lot to play for. Which is why this game promises to be an exciting and closely contested match. Despite their injury concerns, Club America has enough quality in their squad to get a result against Atlas. However, playing away from home against a motivated Atlas side will not be easy. Both teams are expected to play to their strengths and for America that is attacking football. There should be plenty of goal-scoring opportunities at both ends of the field. I predict a 2-2 draw, with Quiñones getting on the score sheet against his former team.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports, of a Jonathan dos Santos, on August 3, 2022.
