Due to injuries and good understanding in the Clasico, Jardine would repeat the defense against Gallos Blancos
America closed their preparation to face Gallos Blancos on Wednesday night at the Corregidora stadium in a rescheduled match corresponding to matchday two of the Apertura 2023.
The bad news for the Eagles is that the injuries are not leaving them, as it was confirmed on Tuesday that Néstor Araujo has a rupture of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, so he will be out for the remainder of the tournament. This injury adds to Sebastián Cáceres and Israel Reyes, who are recovering from different muscle problems and will be out of action for at least 15 more days.
In this situation, Igor Lichnovsky and Ramón Juárez are expected to be the starting center-backs in the game against Querétaro.
Sources mentioned to ESPN that the coaching staff of América was very satisfied with the performance of Lichnovsky and Juárez in the classic against Guadalajara, and that is why they plan to repeat the same defensive line, accompanied on the wings by Kevin Álvarez on the right side and Luis Fuentes on the left side.
In the midfield, Álvaro Fidalgo and Jonathan dos Santos worked as starters; however, during a portion of the practice, Richard Sánchez also had activity as a starter, so it is not ruled out that the Paraguayan could start against the Gallos and give rotation to the team's roster.
In the attacking part, no changes are expected to face Mauro Gerk's team. If the lineup that worked as starters at the Nido de Coapa is confirmed, Diego Valdés, Brian Rodríguez, Leonardo Suárez, and Julián Quiñones would be in América's attack, while Henry Martin would once again go to the substitutes' bench.
America arrives at the game against Querétaro as the third place in the league table, but if they win at La Corregidora, they will finish the week as leaders with 17 points, awaiting what they can do over the weekend against Toluca at the Nemesio Diez stadium.