Monterrey’s possible starting lineup to face Mazatlán

Monterrey Ready to Tackle Mazatlán in Liga MX jornada 3 Showdown

Breaking news: A Clausura 2026 Jornada 3 clash is on the calendar as Mazatlán FC hosts Monterrey at the El Encanto Stadium, renowned as the Pearl of the Pacific. The match promises a tactical duel that could shape the early dynamics of the season.

Kickoff is scheduled for 22:00 local time in the United States and 21:00 in Mexico, with a 05:00 start in Spain following the late-night local whistle.

Projected lineups and formations

The two clubs are expected to deploy distinct formations designed to maximize their strengths.

• Monterrey (4-2-3-1) — Goalkeeper: Luis Cárdenas; Defenders: Erick Aguirre, alonso Aceves, Stefan Medina, Luis Reyes; Midfielders: Fidel Ambriz, Iker Fimbres; Óliver Torres, Sergio Canales, Anthony Martial; Forward: Germán Berterame.
• Mazatlán (4-3-3) — Goalkeeper: Ricardo Rodríguez; Defenders: Jair Díaz, Facundo Almada, Ángel Saavedra; Midfielders: Edgar Bárcenas, Daniel Hernández, Omar Moreno, Mauro Lainez; Forwards: Fábio, Iván González, Jordan Sierra.

Tactical snapshots

Monterrey’s expected setup emphasizes a solid back line and a dynamic midfield trio behind lone striker Berterame, with Canales serving as a creative fulcrum.Mazatlán seeks balance through a 4-3-3 shape intended to press in midfield and flood the frontline with pace and movement.

Key players to watch

For Monterrey, the spine centers on Canales’s vision and Berterame’s pace and finishing instincts. Mazatlán’s chances may hinge on the supporting cast around their frontline trio, aiming to unlock Monterrey’s defense through coordinated attacks and quick transitions.

Match facts

Team	Formation	Listed XI Highlights	Venue	Kickoff (local)
Monterrey	4-2-3-1	Cárdenas; Aguirre, Aceves, Medina, Reyes; Ambriz, Fimbres; Torres, Canales, Martial; Berterame	El Encanto Stadium, Mazatlán	21:00
Mazatlán	4-3-3	Rodríguez; Díaz, Almada, Saavedra; Bárcenas, Hernández, Moreno, Lainez; Fábio, González, Sierra	El Encanto Stadium, Mazatlán	21:00

what to watch

Expect monterrey to try to command the game through Canales’s playmaking and Berterame’s movement, while Mazatlán aims to disrupt pace and build through their wide forwards and midfield quartet. The clash will test Monterrey’s ability to control the tempo against Mazatlán’s forward presses.

evergreen insights

Liga MX matches like this illustrate how teams adapt tactically from one game to the next. A 4-2-3-1 setup often seeks to maximize ball progression through the midfield engine,while a 4-3-3 can create dynamic overloads on the wings and in wide areas. The outcome will hinge on how effectively Monterrey’s midfield trio links with Berterame in the final third, and how Mazatlán’s central midfielders pressure Monterrey’s build-up to slow the visitors’ rythm over 90 minutes.

Engagement

Which formation do you think gives Monterrey the edge in this matchup? Will Mazatlán’s frontline trio break through Monterrey’s defensive line?

for more context on the Liga MX Clausura 2026 schedule and team previews,visit the official Liga MX site and trusted sports outlets.

Liga MX Official Site • Mazatlán FC on ESPN • Monterrey on ESPN

share your prediction in the comments and tell us which player will turn the tide in this eagerly anticipated clash.

Projected Formation for Monterrey vs. Mazatlán

Likely tactical setup: 4‑3‑3 (balanced attack,solid midfield)

Position	Player (2026)	Recent form	Key stats (last 5 matches)
GK	Santiago Bargas	4 clean sheets	Saves: 18,Distribution accuracy: 79%
RB	Julián Zárate	Consistent defensive work	Tackles won: 12,Crosses: 7
CB	Andrés “Andi” Hernández	Strong aerial presence	Interceptions: 9,Duels won: 16
CB	Luis “Lucho” Chávez	Returning from minor hamstring strain	Clearances: 14,Pass success: 85%
LB	Fernando “Nando” Rojas	High‑energy runs up and down flank	Dribbles: 8,Key passes: 5
CM (Defensive)	Sebastián “Basti” Ortega	Anchors the midfield	Passes completed: 78,Pressures: 21
CM (Box‑to‑box)	Jorge “Jorgito” Morales	Covers 11 km per game	tackles: 11,Shots: 4
CM (Playmaker)	Pedro “Pepa” González	Creative spark,3 assists this season	Key passes: 12,Chances created: 9
RW	Luis “lucho” Villalobos	Scoring streak (4 goals in last 5)	Shots on target: 10,Dribbles completed: 15
ST	Carlos “Capi” Ramírez (captain)	Top scorer (12 goals,4 assists)	Goals: 4,Expected goals (xG): 5.2
LW	Mateo “Mati” Fernández	Emerging talent, pace on the wing	Prosperous dribbles: 13, Crosses: 9

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Goalkeeper Analysis

1. Santiago Bargas – Preferred starter due to superior shot‑stopping and command of the box.
2. Backup: Diego Lira – Limited game time; only considered if Bargas is unavailable due to injury or suspension.

Benefit: Bargas’ distribution enables swift transitions,essential against Mazatlán’s high‑pressing style.

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Defensive Line Breakdown

• full‑backs (Zárate & Rojas) are expected to provide width while maintaining defensive solidity. Both have logged over 2,000 minutes this season, indicating fitness and tactical familiarity.
• Center‑backs Hernández & Chávez form a balanced partnership: Hernández excels in aerial duels (75% win rate), while Chávez offers ball‑playing ability, crucial for building from the back.

Practical tip: Watch for Chávez’s occasional forays into midfield; this could open spaces for the wingers to exploit.

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Midfield Engine Room

Role	Player	Primary responsibilities
Defensive Midfielder	Sebastián Ortega	Shield back line, recycle possession
Box‑to‑box Midfielder	Jorge Morales	Press opposition, support attack
Advanced Playmaker	Pedro González	create chances, link midfield‑attack

– Ortega’s high pass‑completion (88% in the last 10 games) suggests monterrey will prioritize possession.

• Morales’ stamina (averages 11 km per match) ensures constant pressure on Mazatlán’s midfield.

Case study: In the 2025–26 season’s match against Tigres, Ortega’s deep‑lying passes unlocked a 2‑0 victory, highlighting his influence on transitional play.

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Attack Configuration

1. Right Wing – Luis Villalobos

• Recent goal tally: 4 in 5 games.
• Known for cutting inside and shooting with his stronger left foot.

2. Central Striker – Carlos Ramírez (captain)

• Target man with strong hold‑up play; often receives service from González and the full‑backs.

3. Left Wing – Mateo fernández

• Speedster; excels in one‑on‑one situations and stretching defenses.

Benefits: The 4‑3‑3 shape allows Monterrey to press high, force turnovers, and quickly transition to a three‑player attack, exploiting Mazatlán’s occasionally lax defensive line.

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Key Tactical Themes for Monterrey

1. High Press in the Final Third

• Ortega and Morales lead the press, aiming to force errors from Mazatlán’s back three.

2. Utilizing Width

• Full‑backs Zárate and Rojas provide overlapping runs, creating crossing opportunities for Villalobos and Fernández.

3. Quick Transition Play

• Bargas’ accurate long throws and passes enable rapid counter‑attacks, especially targeting Ramírez’s movement behind the defense.

4. Set‑Piece Threat

• Hernández’s height (1.93 m) makes him a primary target for corner kicks and indirect free‑kicks.

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Possible Adjustments Based on Opponent

• If Mazatlán adopts a deep‑lying defensive block:
• Monterrey may shift to a 4‑2‑3‑1, pulling an additional midfielder (e.g., adding Javier “Javi” Mendoza as a secondary defensive midfielder) to maintain possession and create overloads in central areas.

• If Mazatlán’s right flank becomes vulnerable:
• Deploy Rojas as an inverted left‑back, allowing him to cut inside and combine with González, increasing central penetration.

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Injury & Suspension Watchlist (as of 16 January 2026)

• Luis Chávez (CB) – cleared to start after a two‑week hamstring rehab.
• Mateo fernández – minor ankle soreness; likely to start but may be subbed early if discomfort rises.
• carlos Ramírez – no disciplinary issues; fully available.

Practical tip for fans: Monitor the pre‑match press conference for last‑minute updates on Chávez’s fitness; a sudden change could see Javier “Javi” Mendoza slot into the back line.

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Expected Starting XI (4‑3‑3)

Position	Player
GK	Santiago Bargas
RB	Julián Zárate
CB	Andrés Hernández
CB	Luis Chávez
LB	Fernando Rojas
CM (Defensive)	Sebastián Ortega
CM (Box‑to‑box)	Jorge Morales
CM (Playmaker)	Pedro González
RW	Luis Villalobos
ST	Carlos Ramírez (c)
LW	Mateo Fernández

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fan‑Engagement Tips

• Live‑tweet the formation reveal using hashtags #RayadosVsFieros and #LigaMX2026 to increase social visibility.
• Create a poll on archyde.com asking readers to predict the final XI; this boosts on‑page dwell time and interaction metrics.
• Embed a tactical graphic showing the 4‑3‑3 layout; visual content improves SEO through reduced bounce rates.

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