El Tri manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino will nervously watch his World Cup squad members play in the European leagues this weekend. (Photo by Manuel Velázquez/Getty Images)
As Europe’s leagues stage their penultimate weekend of matches before the World Cup, football fans around the world are holding their collective breath in the hope that their stars emerge unscathed.
Twelve of the 31 Mexican players ply their trade in Europe, so El Tri fans are in the same boat.
Meanwhile, coach ‘Tata’ Martino and the Mexican contingent are in Catalonia to complete their first week of a pre-Qatar training camp, preparing for Wednesday’s exhibition match against Iraq.
At the same time, “Tata” is concerned about the physical condition of two of his favorite starters.
Striker Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton) has not played since August 31 due to a sports hernia, while winger Jesús “Tecatito” Corona (Sevilla) is recovering from a broken leg suffered in training August 18.
El Tri enjoys a slight advantage thanks to the Liga MX
Mexico arrived in Girona, Spain on Monday with 19 players (plus a collection of youngsters serving as training opponents) after a few weeks of scattered training in Mexico City.
While the unprecedented November-December World Cup schedule has reduced the time most national teams will have to work before kick-off in Qatar, Liga MX officials have changed the Apertura 2022 schedule to allow a rest-recovery-training interval.
The regular season ended on October 2, but no El Tri members were available until Wildcard weekend, and the first national teams began arriving at camp after October 10. After the following weekend, three more players saw their dreams of Liga MX glory dashed. and trudged into the El Tri facility.
When No. 1 América and No. 2 Monterrey were toppled in the semi-finals, Aguilas stars Guillermo Ochoa and Henry Martín and Rayados stalwarts César Montes, Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo, Luis Romo and Rogelio Funes Mori suddenly been released. The good news for ‘Tata’ was that instead of taking the week off they were entitled to, all seven players reported directly to El Tri.
They were joined by three Liga MX champions (Kevin Álvarez de Pachuca, Erick Sánchez and Luis Chávez) just before El Tri flew to Spain on October 31. The French will train in Spain for a few weeks but will have to wait until November 13. for the “European” contingent.
Still in service in Europe
Mexican fans will be watching for the actions of several key national teams this weekend and next.
Among the top players to see action are midfielder Edson Álvarez and full-back Jorge Sánchez with Ajax, midfielder Erick Gutiérrez (PSV Eindhoven), striker Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), Andrés Guardado ( Real Betis), full-back Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), winger “Chucky” Lozano (Napoli) and attacking midfielder Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens).
There are reports that Jiménez could see some minutes next week against Arsenal as Wolves officials are confident his rehab is progressing adequately. Fans of “Tata” and El Tri will be particularly attentive to developments there.
So, while European leagues try to stay focused on domestic concerns, Mexico will face Iraq on November 9 with their Liga MX roster (plus MLS club Houston Dynamo’s Héctor Herrera).
And after the Euro matches next weekend, ‘Tata’ hopes to have a full roster for the November 16 friendly between Mexico and Sweden, also in Girona.
Like all the other participating teams. Mexico must submit their final list of 26 players for the World Cup by November 14. El Tri begins its World Cup adventure on November 22 against Poland in Doha.
