Tijuana’s Historic Victory and Abreu’s Impact
Following their surprising 2-0 triumph over league leaders Pachuca, Tijuana, coached by Uruguayan Sebastián Abreu, now poses a threat to Argentine coach Gabriel Milito’s Guadalajara in the sixth match of the Apertura 2025 season of Mexico’s top-tier football league, Liga MX. The games will be played from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24.
In the previous round, during the fifth jornada, Abreu’s Xoloitzcuintles visited Pachuca, who entered the match with an unbeaten record. Against all odds, Tijuana emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. Since their promotion to the first division in 2011, Tijuana had never won in 16 visits to Hidalgo Stadium (14 Liga matches and 2 Copa matches).
With this win, the Xolos secured the seventh position with eight points, nearing the direct qualification spot for the Apertura’s final phase. Abreu sees this victory as a significant milestone, not just for the team’s morale but also to highlight Tijuana’s presence in Mexican football.
“Being geographically distant, on the border, with less media attention, these types of victories will make our players recognized and valued. It also helps us understand that we can compete with our resources and aim for attractive goals,” Abreu explained.
In his inaugural season at Tijuana, Abreu aims for direct qualification to the quarterfinals, a feat the Xolos haven’t achieved since the Clausura 2019 tournament.
Buoyed by the Pachuca win, Abreu called upon Xolos fans to support the team when they host Chivas at Caliente Stadium on Friday.
Milito Emphasizes Chivas’ Mental Strength
Meanwhile, Chivas under Milito suffered their third loss in the tournament after a 2-1 defeat at home against Juárez, one of the bottom teams. The loss frustrated Chivas fans who passionately voiced their discontent, leading players to leave the pitch overwhelmed by boos.
With three points (and one match pending against Tigres), Chivas sits in the sixteenth position among eighteen teams. The crisis deepened against Juárez as they failed to replicate their previous offensive displays.
“Among all the games we’ve played together, this was the one where we found it most challenging to dominate and create danger,” Milito acknowledged, taking responsibility for the team’s situation.
Looking ahead to the Tijuana match, Milito plans to meticulously analyze his team’s circumstances and maintain their work ethic to overcome the crisis.
“As football people, we’ve experienced such situations throughout our careers. Now, it’s natural to doubt everything, but internally we cannot doubt; instead, we must correct and improve,” Milito stated.
Jornada 6 Match Schedule and Broadcast Information
Friday Matches
- Juárez vs. Santos at 19:00 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: Tubi, Azteca 7
- Querétaro vs. ADSL at 19:00 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: Tubi
- Xolos vs. Chivas at 21:00 HRS WHERE TO WATCH: Tubi
Saturday Matches
- León vs. Pachuca at 17:00 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: Tubi
- Rayados vs. Necaxa at 19:00 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: VIX, Canal 5, TUDN
- Mazatlán vs. Tigres at 19:00 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: Canal 7, Azteca Deportes, Tubi
- Cruz Azul vs. Toluca at 21:05 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: Canal 5, VIX
Sunday Matches
- Pumas vs. Puebla at 17:00 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: Canal 5, TUDN, VIX
- Atlas vs. América at 19:05 hrs WHERE TO WATCH: VIX, Canal 5, TUDN
Foto: Cuenta X Santos
Key Takeaways
- Tijuana, coached by Abreu, defeated Pachuca 2-0, boosting their confidence and position in the Apertura 2025 table.
- Abreu aims for direct qualification to the quarterfinals, a goal unmet since Clausura 2019.
- Chivas, under Milito, suffered a 2-1 loss to Juárez, deepening their crisis. Milito emphasizes the team’s need for mental strength and corrective action.
- Match schedule and broadcast details provided for Jornada 6 of Liga MX Apertura 2025.
