James’s Lions Test Their New Path Against Leader Toluca
León vs. Toluca: A Crucial Clash in Mexican League as Ambriz Returns
León Eyes Redemption Against League Leaders Toluca
Sitting mid-table but still in contention for playoff qualification, León, led by James Rodríguez, is set to challenge league leaders Toluca in a decisive Mexican league encounter this Saturday. Ignacio Ambriz makes his home debut as León’s new manager, taking over from Eduardo Berizzo, who resigned last weekend. This match marks a pivotal moment in the twelfth round of the Apertura.
“Our daily work will determine our chances of securing a playoff spot,” Ambriz stated after stepping in to guide the team, which has won just one of its last five league matches. Positioned at eleventh with 12 points, León is seven points shy of direct qualification (1st to 6th) and just one away from the playoff zone (7th to 10th). With six matches remaining in the regular season, León aims for a resurgence in the upcoming faceoff against Toluca, helmed by Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed.
League Leaders Toluca Seek to Extend Winning Streak
Toluca arrives at the Nou Camp Stadium with an impressive record, leading the league with 25 points and fresh off their Campeones Cup victory against LA Galaxy. The Diablos Rojos strive to continue their five-match winning streak and maintain their top spot, as Monterrey shares the same 25 points. Monterrey will face Tijuana on Sunday.
Ambriz’s Strategy and James Rodríguez’s Role in León’s Campaign
Ambriz, a former disciple of Mexican national coach Javier Aguirre, is known for his dynamic style of football, raising expectations on how he will leverage Colombian star James Rodríguez in the remaining stages of the tournament. “I have to connect with James in my way,” Ambriz remarked, stressing the creative Cafetero’s aspirations to be a champion. In the current Apertura 2025, Rodríguez has played eight out of eleven matches, missing three due to injuries that have hindered his career.
Offensive Rejuvenation Needed for León
With only 10 goals scored, León ranks as one of the least effective offensives in the tournament, despite Rodríguez contributing two goals and one assist. This marks Ambriz’s second stint with León, the first being from 2018 to 2021, during which he won the 2020 Guardianes tournament. Following stints with Huesca, Toluca, and Santos, Ambriz acknowledges, “Second chances are different – they’re either really good or bad.”
The rematch against Toluca also offers Ambriz a chance for personal redemption after being dismissed by the Diablos Rojos in 2023, concluding in a contractual dispute won by the club.
Upcoming Matches in the Twelfth Round
- Friday: Necaxa vs. Pachuca, Mazatlán vs. Atlético San Luis, Atlas vs. Juárez
- Saturday: Querétaro vs. Puebla, León vs. Toluca, Tigres vs. Cruz Azul, América vs. Santos
- Sunday: Pumas vs. Guadalajara, Tijuana vs. Monterrey
Current Clasificación Table
| Position | Team | Points | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Toluca | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 14 | 17 |
| 2. | Monterrey | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 17 | 6 |
| 3. | América | 24 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 11 | 12 |
| 4. | Cruz Azul | 24 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 14 | 7 |
| 5. | Tigres | 22 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 9 | 12 |
| 6. | Tijuana | 19 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 7. | Juárez | 18 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 3 |
| 8. | Pachuca | 17 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 2 |
| 9. | Guadalajara | 14 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 |
| 10. | Pumas | 13 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 17 | -3 |
| 11. | León | 12 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 18 | -8 |
| 12. | Atlético San Luis | 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 18 | -2 |
| 13. | Santos | 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 18 | -5 |
| 14. | Atlas | 10 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 26 | -8 |
| 15. | Necaxa | 9 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 20 | -9 |
| 16. | Mazatlán | 8 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 20 | -7 |
| 17. | Querétaro | 8 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 20 | -9 |
| 18. | Puebla | 5 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 26 | -17 |
