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Club Tijuana face next test vs. Palmeiras in Libertadores Round of 16

TijuanaGandolfi (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Club Tijuana look to continue their impressive debut run in the Copa Libertadores, when Brazilian side Palmeiras come into the Estadio Caliente on Tuesday (9:30pm ET, Fox Deportes) for the first-leg match in the Round of 16.

Though Palmeiras were relegated at the end of last year, they still have a strong squad thanks to their participation in the Copa Libertadores and finished first in their group with three wins in six matches, just edging Argentine club Tigre on goal difference for the top place. Xolos finished second in their group to defending champion Corinthians of Brazil, also on goal difference.

Meanwhile, it hasn’t been all roses for Xolos during their Clausura campaign. They’ve been stuck in a rut since the start of March, winning just twice in all competitions and losing a total of seven of their last 12, including three in a row in Liga MX. Both U.S. international’s on the Xolos squad, Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo, were issued red cards in the club’s 2-1 loss to Monarcas. Amazingly, in Xolos last match, a 1-0 defeat to San Luis, they were also shown two red cards in the second half.

With Xolos now out of the Clausura playoffs in the domestic campaign and sitting in 11th place on 18 points, the squad and manager Antonio Mohamed can focus on bringing international success back to the border city in northwest Mexico.

Here is a look at the other Round of 16 Match-ups:

(1) Atletico Mineiro vs. (16) Sao Paolo

First leg- Thursday; Second leg- May 8th

(8) Palmeiras vs. (9)  Club Tijuana

First leg- Tonight; Second leg- May 14th

(5) Velez Sarsfield vs. (12) Newell’s Old Boys

First leg- Velez won, 1-0; Second leg- May 14th

(2) Santa Fe vs. (15) Gremio

First leg- Wednesday; Second leg- May 16th

(7) Nacional vs. (10) Real Garcilaso

First leg- Real Garcilaso won 1-0; Second leg- May 9th

(3) Olimpia vs. (14) Tigre

First leg- tonight; Second leg- May 16th

(6) Fluminense vs. (11) Emelec

First leg- Thursday; Second leg- May 8th

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What do you think of Club Tijuana’s chances of beating Palmeiras? How far can you see them going?

Share your thoughts below.

 

Comments

    • Why do you say too much? Does way more to build the brand and the team to make this run in the Libertadores and they know it. They are solidly mid-table for relegation, why not go for it? I live in Brasil, no one knew their name before this Libertadores, know everyone knows about them (and more than that their field…). I think it’s a great move by them, incredible for such a young club.

      Reply
      • I just think their sacrificing their chances in Liga MX to possibly make it in a very hard tournament. But good luck to them

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