Atlas Football Club has embarked on its preseason preparation for the Clausura 2025 with the intent of making a significant impact in the Liga MX. Under the new leadership of Gonzalo Pineda, who recently took over from Beñat San José, the team has strategically scheduled four friendly matches to fine-tune their skills and strategies for the upcoming season.
The first match is set to take place on Monday, December 23, against Necaxa at the Academia AGA, starting at 10:00 AM. This provides the Rojinegros with an opportunity to test their tactics early on. Following this, the team will enter the spotlight again on Friday, December 27, for the last Clásico Tapatío of the year, where they will face local rivals Chivas. This highly anticipated match will be held at Estadio Jalisco at 8:45 PM and will be contested for the Copa Pacífica.
A victory against Chivas would propel Atlas directly to the final of the tournament, pitting them against the winner of the other semifinal match between Tapatío and Leones Negros, scheduled for December 29 at the same venue. Should the team not win the derby, they will still have the chance to contest the third place against the loser of the other matchup on the same day, albeit at 4:00 PM.
Completing their preseason schedule, Atlas will take on Atlético de San Luis on Friday, January 3, time and venue yet to be confirmed. This match is key as it will be the final preparation before the league kicks off.
The real test, though, will come when Atlas debuts in the Clausura 2025. Scheduled for Saturday, January 11, at 9:00 PM, they will face Cruz Azul, who had an impressive run the previous season. Cruz Azul not only managed to set the record for accumulated points during the regular phase with 42 points, but they also advanced to the semifinals, where they were knocked out by the reigning champions, América. This challenging match will serve as both a litmus test for Atlas and validation of their offseason training.
It remains uncertain where this encounter will take place as Cruz Azul is currently searching for a more suitable venue to host home games due to various logistical and financial issues at their usual Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. The Estadio Olímpico Universitario of Pumas UNAM is currently the frontrunner to accommodate the match, though no confirmations have been made.
With these matches lined up, Atlas appears determined to reclaim their spot among the top contenders of Liga MX. The team's comprehensive approach during preseason training, emphasizing competitiveness and strategic play, reflects their anticipation of not just participating but thriving during the upcoming season. The friendly matches against established teams will not only hone their approach but also build chemistry among players, which is often pivotal for success.
The stakes are high as the Rojinegros eye not only successful individual matches but also the ultimate goal of returning to the playoffs—a place they have tasted success before and are eager to reclaim. With high expectations from fans and management alike, the upcoming months are sure to be intense for Atlas as they gear up not just to compete, but to excel.
