ALWAYS A CLASICO AGAINST LEON
Xoloitzcuintles players consider Fridays match a special one
TIJUANA –Wanting to finish the season with a win is already enough motivation but there is another reason Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles players are hyped to face Club Leon Friday. They consider the Week 17 match of the LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Apertura a Clasico, a rivalry match.
The Xoloitzcuintles and “Panzas Verdes” have a history of playing intense matches against each other, dating back to their time in the Liga de Ascenso.
Coach Daniel Guzman watched practice Tuesday, supervising the work his players put in during a 20-minute offensive work period that included a few obstacles.
Assistant coach Mauricio Gonzalez was in charge of working on defensive work and other tactics.
“We are preparing well and it will be intense,” said midfielder Alejandro Guido, who was out for two weeks with an adductor tear and recently returned after rehabbing the injury. “I feel much better. It was a small tear but we are working little-by-little because we also have the Under-20 playoffs and we want to do a good job.”
Jose Alberto Garcia said there is no pressure within the team but there is a desire to win the game against Leon because of what the rivalry means.
Garcia is coming off camp with Mexico’s Under-20 team, which is preparing for the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Garcia played last Friday with Mexico, coached by Sergio Almaguer. Garcia scored against Guatemala.
“I have been giving a great opportunity with the Under-2 national team,” Garcia said. “We have to keep working for that qualifying tournament. I scored against Guatemala and I want to keep scoring. That’s what strikers do.”
Garcia, a Mexicali native, made his debut with the Xoloitzcuintles in the First Division Jan. 24, 2014 against Monarcas Morelia during a Week 4 match of the 2014 Clausura. He has played in 29 minutes in two games in this current tournament. He played in Week 1 against Puebla and against Rayados de Monterrey in Week 12.
SPECIAL VISIT TO PRACTICE
The Xoloitzcuintles got a special visit after practice Tuesday as fans invited by sponsor Calimax got a chance to meet the players and coaching staff.
The team returns to practice Wednesday at 9 a.m.
