Santos Laguna is set to take on Club América on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 19:05 hours, marking a pivotal match for both teams as they aim to improve their standings early in the Liga MX Clausura 2025 season.
The clash will take place at the Estadio Corona in Torreón, Coahuila, where Santos, having started the season poorly with two consecutive losses, will be hoping to capitalize on playing at home. Their start to the tournament was rocky, having lost their first game 0-1 against Chivas and facing another defeat against Pachuca. This turmoil led to significant changes within the club as they transitioned from Ignacio Ambriz to Fernando Ortiz as head coach. Under Ortiz's management, the team has struggled to find their footing.
On the other hand, Club América enters the match with their collective spirits high, as they have shown resilience through their initial phases of the tournament. With their opening victory against Querétaro and a hard-fought draw against Tijuana, America is maintaining their spot at the top of the league. Their strategy of fielding the U23 squad for the first two games paid off as they sought to give their first team the necessary preparation time, culminating with competitive pre-season matches against Inter Miami, albeit ending on the losing side of a penalty shootout.
The upcoming match is not just about points but also serves as a reunion for former América coach, Fernando Ortiz. He now leads Santos against the team he once guided. Historically, matches between Santos Laguna and Club América have been tightly contested; with their last five encounters resulting in three draws and two victories for América (according to Diario AS). Much of the excitement surrounding the game revolves around the competitive edge both teams possess, and the need for Santos to reclaim some sense of pride after their crippling start to the season.
Translators confirm the sentiment surrounding Santos's current crisis, stating, "El Tano Ortíz ha batallado para que Santos vuelva a salir adelante tras ya acumular dos derrotas la hilo..." indicating the pressure he faces to turn the team's fortunes around.
While América enjoys the luxury of fielding most of their star players post-preseason, Santos is grappling with injuries, which could affect their game strategy. Santos has expressed their determination to snap their losing streak, initiating their home game atmosphere for the first time this season, which is expected to play favorably for the team.
Fans can catch all the action live on TUDN, Canal de Las Estrellas, and streaming via ViX Premium. The stakes are high for this Jornada 3 clash, as Santos desperately seeks to get their first points of the season, whereas América is determined to build on their solid start. The match on January 25 promises to be not only thrilling but also pivotal for both clubs.
With their backs against the wall, and the reputation of pride and point statuses at stake, Santos Laguna faces the urgency of success against Club América.