Monterrey has unfinished business against the champion, since on matchday 10 of the Apertura they were beaten 6-2 at the Nemesio Diez
The semi-finals of Apertura Tournament 2025 start this Wednesday, and the BBVA Stadium will host the first leg between the Monterrey and the Toluca.
The Devils, champions of the Liga MXthey will face the Rayados, a squad that is urgent to win a title by having the historic Spanish defender on its roster, Sergio Ramos, who could live his last days in Mexican soccer in the absence of an agreement between the board and the soccer player.
Rayados battled against the Americabut ended up placing in the semifinals of Apertura 2025, so now they will have the difficult task of defeating Toluca, current Mexican soccer champion.
The Monterrey team is seeking to end a six-year drought without a title, since the last one was in the Apertura 2019 when they were led by Antonio Mohameda technician whom they will precisely now face.
For its part, Toluca realized Juarez by winning the first leg and ending with a goalless draw in the Nemesio Diez Stadium. Even so, they have shown that they know how to save energy, attack when they have to and lower the curtain when they have the game under control.
Reasons why Toluca will win
The team led by Antonio Mohamed He hasn't slowed down. Of the four quarterfinal series, only Toluca They demonstrated marked superiority throughout the two games and made it clear that they have options to overcome their rivals at any time.
Paulinho continues to be the team's leading scorer and in these games Marcel Ruiz became the man who directs the threads of the game by not having a fixed position on the field.
Player to watch from Toluca
If there is someone who should take care of Monterrey, it is Paulinho. The three-time Liga MX scoring champion is still on fire and has shown it in the quarterfinals. Rayados' defense has shown defensive problems during the Liguilla and against América they proved to be weak at times, a situation that can be taken advantage of by the Portuguese center forward.
The great absence of Toluca
The Mexican offensive Alexis Vega He will not be available for the first leg against Monterrey. The footballer recovered from the tear he suffered against Pachuca, but in recent days he suffered a new injury that will keep him away from the playing fields.
The Devils' man with the greatest impact on the field has an injury to the patellar tendon in his left leg. This will prevent him from playing the first leg at the BBVA Stadium.
Toluca's probable alignment
Hugo González, Diego Barbosa, Bruno Méndez, Federico Pereira, Jesús Gallardo, Franco Romero, Nicolás Castro, Jesús Angulo, Helinho, Marcel Ruiz and Paulinho.
Forecast
The champion of the Liga MX He is standing, firm and threatening with the two-time championship. The Mexican team has not slowed down and throughout the semester they were the most consistent team, which is why they achieved the lead in Apertura 2025.
Toluca looks like a big favorite to close at home, where they have closed their last qualifying rounds strongly and lifted the Liga MX title in Clausura 2025.
Reasons why Rayados will win
The individualities of Striped They are the ones that can keep this team afloat in the duel against Toluca, since at times they have some ups and downs in their performance, but genius can make the difference.
Elements like Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres y German Berterame They could be key so that the Monterrey team can take the best dividends against the Mexican team in the semifinals of this Mexican soccer competition.
Player to watch for Rayados
Sergio Canales It remains the most relevant element of the Monterrey painting; against América was the one who paved the way for the team to take the victory in the first leg, which they also played at the BBVA Stadium.
That match looked complicated, the Águilas were a difficult opponent, but a mid-range shot from Canales opened the scoreboard and the way for Monterrey to take a 2-0 victory in the first leg, which finally helped them achieve a 3-2 aggregate victory in the quarterfinals.
Probable alignment
Luis Cárdenas, Ricardo Chávez, Sergio Ramos, Stefan Medina, Gerardo Arteaga, Jorge Rodríguez, Oliver Torres, Fidel Ambriz, Sergio Canales, Jesús “Tecatito” Corona and Germán Berterame.
Forecast
The team led by the strategist Sunday Torrent They turned the BBVA Stadium into their strength and so far in Apertura 2025 they have not lost a single match in that scenario, which could be a factor that could give them victory in the first leg, but they will have to apply themselves fully if they want to reach the final, because the second leg will be at the Nemesio Diez.
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