Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 CL Week 3 Recap: Bou Scores, Xolos Get First Win With Oscar Pareja
Leon, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played their third game of the 2019 Clausura season this Sunday, Jan. 20 against Leon at the Nou Camp in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
The match was set to be a very intense and thrilling duel as there is a rivalry between the two teams that have gone on since when both teams played in Mexico’s second-tier league. Both teams were also going into this game with no wins and were in dire need of the three points heading into this clash.
The Xoloitzcuintles were coming off a dreadful 3-0 loss against Tigres UANL and were looking to bounce back against a solid but inconsistent Leon team. Oscar Pareja made some changes to his starting lineup as Omar Mendoza, Fabian Castillo and Gustavo Bou all received the start while Luis Chavez, Juan Martin Lucero, and Erick Torres were all benched.
All of the players that were added to the lineup made a positive impact, especially Gustavo Bou, who scored the game-winning goal for Club Tijuana in the 26th minute of the match. A deflection gifted Bou the sphere just outside of the penalty area and the Argentine forward was able to chip the ball over Leon goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota and put the ball into the back of the net.
Bou had just been called back from a loan spell at Argentine team Racing Club and immediately made an impact in his first game of the season. This was the first goal of the season for the Xoloitzcuintles and the first goal the Border City Dogs scored with Oscar Pareja as manager.
Another key player for the border city side in this clash was goalkeeper Gibran Lajud, who had several key saves in the second half. Leon could have easily tied or even won the game had it not been for the incredible effort by the Mexican shot-stopper.
The clash was very intense throughout it and ended with an altercation between both sides, specifically involving Rubens Sambueza of Leon and Ignacio Rivero of Xolos. The three points were vital for Oscar Pareja’s team and for Oscar Pareja, who was in hot water after two disastrous performances to begin the season.
Agradecido, contento de regresar y marcar. Vamos por más 🔴⚫ pic.twitter.com/pDpoV3USwT
— Gustavo La Pantera Bou (@gustavobouok) January 21, 2019
After Week 3, Club Tijuana is now in 12th place with three points, five goals allowed and just one goal scored. The Aztec Canines will play Pachuca in the Copa MX this Wednesday, Jan 23., and then play Cruz Azul on Saturday, Jan 26.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.