Monterrey-America Set to Decide Apertura 2024 Champion in Thrilling Second Leg Final

The highly anticipated second leg of the Apertura 2024 final between Monterrey and America is set to determine the champion at the iconic BBVA Stadium, also known as the ‘Gigante de Acero.’ Both teams have made key adjustments to their lineups in preparation for this decisive clash.
Monterrey’s Comeback Mission
Rayados will be looking to overturn their narrow 2-1 deficit from the first leg, held at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium. Monterrey, aiming for their first Liga MX title since the 2019 Apertura, needs just one goal to equalize the aggregate score. Their coach, Martín Demichelis, has expressed optimism and confidence in his squad’s ability to turn the series around in front of their passionate home crowd.
Demichelis remarked, “If we are not optimistic, we cannot compete. To be champions, we must win with our people united. The Rayados fans will help push us to achieve the best result.”
Monterrey has made a few changes to their lineup, with Sergio Canales returning as a starter and Brandon Vázquez and Erick Aguirre stepping in for the injured Lucas Ocampos and Víctor Guzmán.
America’s Historical Opportunity
Las Águilas, who emerged victorious in the first leg under André Jardine’s leadership, are on the brink of making history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Liga MX short tournaments. Despite their first-leg advantage, Jardine acknowledged the challenge of securing the championship on the road, a scenario his squad has not faced in their recent title runs.
“It’s the first time we’ll decide the championship away from home. The series is still open, and we must stay focused to bring the title back,” Jardine said.
America also made adjustments, with Alan Cervantes and Cristian Calderón starting in place of Jonathan Dos Santos and Borja.
Lineups for Monterrey-America Showdown
Monterrey: Luis Cardenas, Stefan Medina, Hector Moreno, Erick Aguirre, Gerardo Arteaga, Jorge Rodriguez, Iker Fimbres, Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, Brandon Vázquez, German Berterame.
America: Luis Malagon, Kevin Alvarez, Israel Reyes, Ramon Juarez, Sebastian Caceres, Cristian Calderon, Alan Cervantes, Richard Sanchez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Alejandro Zendejas, Henry Martin.
Match Details
The second leg between Monterrey and America will take place on Sunday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. Mexico City time (8:00 p.m. ET) at the BBVA Stadium. Fans in Mexico can tune in via TUDN, Channel 5, or the VIX Premium platform, while viewers in the U.S. can watch on Univisión and TUDN.
Final Thoughts
With Monterrey aiming for a historic comeback and America on the verge of making history, the stage is set for an electrifying finale. The “Monterrey-America” rivalry continues to dominate headlines and trends, making this game a must-watch for fans of Liga MX.