On March 16, 2025, the Estadio Jalisco buzzed with excitement as Atlas faced off against América in Jornada 12 of the Liga MX Clausura 2025. Despite Uros Djurdjevic’s efforts to rally his team to victory, the match ended unfavorably for Atlas, concluding with a score of 1-3 favoring América.
Uros Djurdjevic, the leading scorer for Atlas with eight goals this season, found the net once during the match, but it just wasn’t enough to secure points against the formidable Azulcremas. The Serbian forward, who arrived at Atlas just six months ago, is becoming increasingly recognized for his prolific scoring abilities and adapting to the Mexican league.
Rodrigo Aguirre emerged as the star for América, scoring twice, with Cristian Calderón adding another goal to the tally. The match commenced with excitement; the first half concluded scoreless, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance. Early on, América took charge as Rodrigo Aguirre, following assistance from Erick Sánchez, capitalized on Atlas’s defensive lapses to secure the lead at minute 47.
Three minutes later, Cristian Calderón doubled América's advantage, demonstrating their intent to dominate the game. The second half seemed bleak for Atlas, but Uros Djurdjevic reignited hope by netting from long range at minute 56, bringing the score to 1-2.
"I spoke with Álvaro Fidalgo after the game during the Leagues Cup. He told me to have patience and reassured me about adapting to this league," Djurdjevic said during his interview with ESPN. His collaboration with fellow player Álvaro Fidalgo dates back to their time together in Spain, where they played at Castellón and Real Madrid Castilla.
Despite Djurdjevic’s attempt to shift the momentum, América quickly retaliated. Minutes after Atlas scored, Rodrigo Aguirre headed home the third goal for America following some clever positioning during set-pieces. The dynamism between the two teams was evident, with América constantly pressuring and forcing defensive errors from Atlas.
Notably, Luis Ángel Malagón, the goalkeeper for América, played exceptionally well, making several key saves against long-range shots from Atlas' Jeremy Márquez and Matheus Doria. Malagón’s performance emphasized the defensive structure América has built under coach André Jardine, which minimized threats from the opposition.
Throughout the match, American players like Alejandro Zendejas and Ramón Juárez displayed impressive possession and tactical discipline, leading to their continued resilience on the field. This game marked América's sixth consecutive unbeaten match, reinforcing their ambition to reclaim their top position in the league.
Following the match, Djurdjevic expressed his gratitude for the guidance he received during his adjustment period, especially from both Fidalgo and his former coach Veljko Paunovic. "I discussed my decision to join Atlas with Veljko, who convinced me to take the plunge, and his reassurance has been pivotal as we strive for success," Djurdjevic reflected.
Stats reveal the history between the two rivals; América boasts 29 wins over Atlas since their first encounter back in 1996, whereas Atlas has only claimed victory 18 times, illustrating the uphill battle Atlas faces within this competition.
The atmosphere during the match, showcased by passionate fans, reminded all attendees of the storied history between these clubs. Atlas is currently positioned precariously on the table with 13 points, yearning for consistency and aiming for playoff contention as the season progresses.
Both teams now shift their focus to their upcoming fixtures, with America eyeing confirmation of their league dominance, aspiring to draw closer to the top spot, presently held by León. Meanwhile, Djurdjevic and his teammates from Atlas must channel their potential and capitalize on key moments if they wish to secure survival within the league’s pyramid.
With the Liga MX still rife with surprises, fans are eager to see how both teams will respond after this eventful encounter. Whether Atlas can find their footing again, fueled by Djurdjevic’s hard work and determination, remains to be seen, but one thing is sure—the Rojinegros will fight hard as they navigate through the remaining twelve matches of the season.