Tijuana Xolos Liga MX CL 2019 Week 15 Recap: Xolos Playoff Hopes Shrink With Loss to Lobos BUAP
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played their 15th game of the Liga MX 2019 Clausura regular season this Friday, April 19, against Lobos BUAP at the Estadio Caliente. The Xoloitzcuintles were heavy favorites heading into the clash, but it did not go as planned for the Aztec Canines.
Club Tijuana had a wonderful start to the match as Gustavo Bou gave the Aztec Canines an early lead in the fourth minute of the encounter. Julian Velazquez headed the sphere off a corner kick, and the ball landed directly to Bou, who was able to kick it past Lobos’ goalkeeper Jose Antonio Rodriguez.
The Xolos were controlling the game and stayed aggressive after the goal, but the finishing issues that were seen last week against Pumas continued for the border city team. These missed opportunities went on to haunt Oscar Pareja’s team as Lobos BUAP was able to tie the match in the 31st minute.
Mauro Lainez crossed the ball into the penalty box to Leonardo Ramos, who headed the sphere into the back of the net. The first half ended 1-1 as the Xolos missed several opportunities that impeded them from having an advantage after the first 45 minutes.
The second half started with a quick tempo as Lobos BUAP was able to get a lead in the 49th minute. Leonardo Ramos struck again as the Argentine striker scored off a penalty to give the visitors the lead.
That lead lasted for the rest of the encounter as Lobos did a great job of retaining the slim advantage. The team from Puebla defended with all of its players as the Border City Dogs continued to waste opportunities with ten total shots in the second half, but just two of those shots on target.
Lobos BUAP goalkeeper Jose Antonio Rodriguez also played his role in the game with five total saves in the clash. However, the loss was inexcusable for Club Tijuana as the border city team wasted too many clear chances in the 90 minutes.
With the loss, the Xoloitzcuintles are still in a playoff spot, currently in eighth place with 22 points, but that can easily change after the weekend. Puebla is in ninth place with 20 points and can surpass Club Tijuana on the league table with a win against Chivas on Saturday night.
The Aztec Canines have two games left in the regular season, which will not be easy. The Xolos will play Monarcas Morelia away from home in Week 16 and finish off the season against Puebla at the Estadio Caliente.
Xolos’ lineup: Gibran Lajud, Omar Mendoza, Julian Velazquez, Diego Braghieri, Luis Fuentes (73’ Luis Fuentes), Diego Rodriguez, Ignacio Rivero (64’ Eryc Castillo), Fabian Castillo (75’ Daniel Lopez), Miller Bolanos, Gustavo Bou, Ariel Nahuelpan
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.