El Clásico De México Defeat Breakdown & Monterrey vs Club América Preview
The Eagle Eye Podcast returns with Ivan Pineda and Dylan Jiménez after a bitter weekend for Americanistas. A 2–1 defeat to Chivas in the Clásico De México has left fans angry, players under fire, and Jardine with big questions to answer. We break down what went wrong at the Estadio Azulcrema, from tactics to mentality, and then shift focus to a massive bounce-back opportunity: a road trip to face Monterrey at Estadio BBVA.
Clásico Nacional: An Embarrassing Night at Home
On paper, América looked set to roll past a Chivas side mired near the bottom of the table. Instead, the team came out flat, complacent, and without urgency. The lineup raised eyebrows before kickoff, with Jardine opting for a back five against an opponent that wasn’t even playing with a true striker. That decision set the tone for a confused and uninspired display.
The absence of Álvaro Fidalgo in the second half proved decisive. Without him, América lacked creativity and control in midfield. Allan Saint-Maximin, handed his first start, couldn’t find his rhythm, while Brian Rodríguez and Alejandro Zendejas struggled to make an impact. Even late in the match, when América pushed forward, the ideas simply weren’t there.
“This didn’t feel like a clásico — it felt like a scrimmage where nobody gave 120%.” – Ivan Pineda
Chivas didn’t dominate, but they were organized, clinical, and opportunistic. América, meanwhile, handed them life and paid the price with their first defeat of the season.
Pointing Fingers: Manager, Board, and Players
The blame doesn’t fall on one person alone. Jardine’s tactics looked overly cautious, especially compared to América’s best stretches earlier this season. Players also need to look in the mirror, too many had their worst performances of the campaign on the same night.
The midfield issue is the most glaring. For weeks, the podcast has warned about over-reliance on Fidalgo. Against Chivas, nobody stepped up in his absence. Jonathan dos Santos looked slow and sloppy. Chiquito Sánchez couldn’t dictate tempo. Even Zendejas, who scored América’s lone goal, didn’t look like his usual confident self.
Depth is supposed to be a strength, but the reality is América still lack a true Fidalgo understudy. The board will need to address that sooner rather than later if this team is serious about contending for another title.
The Henry Martín Question
Another dark cloud: Henry Martín’s lingering injuries. The captain has been in and out with foot and knee issues, and his absence leaves América with few reliable options up top. Zúñiga hasn’t proven he can lead the line consistently, and “Buffalo” Aguirre hasn’t fit the system. Rumors of Raúl Jiménez returning next summer swirl, but for now, América must find a solution in-house.
“It’s time to plan for life after Henry — the club needs a real No. 9 who can carry this team.” – Dylan Jiménez
Until then, Jardine will have to rely on a mix of young prospects like Pato Salas, and rotating the current forwards, hoping someone finds form.
Monterrey Preview: The Toughest Test Yet
If losing the Clásico hurt, the schedule doesn’t get easier. América now travel to Monterrey to face the league leaders at Estadio BBVA. Rayados, boosted by the signing of Anthony Martial, sit top of the table with a deep squad and attacking firepower.
This is a chance for América to show character. Jardine must decide between sticking with a back three or returning to a more balanced 4-2-3-1. Saint-Maximin could feature centrally, with Brian Rodríguez and Zendejas on the wings, and Zúñiga up top. In midfield, Chiquito Sánchez will need to shoulder the playmaking load, while Cervantes’ disruptive presence could be key against Rayados’ creators like Canales.
The table stakes are real. América sit third, four points behind Monterrey. A win on the road would close the gap and erase some of the pain from the Clásico. A loss, however, could spark doubts about this team’s ability to beat the league’s elite away from home.
Predictions
Dylan expects chaos: a 2–2 draw with a red card and Saint-Maximin producing a goal and an assist. Ivan is more cautiously optimistic, predicting a 2–1 América win with a scrappy late goal to grab all three points. Both agree: this match could define América’s season at the halfway point.
Conclusion
The Clásico defeat was a gut punch, but the season is far from lost. For Jardine and his squad, Monterrey represents a chance to bounce back, regain confidence, and prove América still belong at the top. It’s not about pretty football now, it’s about results, momentum, and pride.
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