Club América vs. Monterrey today: kickoff time, how to watch, expected lineups, and the stakes in a high-wire second leg

Club América returns home today needing a surge at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes to overturn a two-goal deficit against Monterrey in the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals. The series flipped with a clinical first leg from the Rayados, leaving the Águilas facing a narrow margin for error and a raucous evening where every duel, set piece, and transition could decide who moves on to the semifinals.

Club América vs. Monterrey: when and how to watch

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. local (Mexico City, CST) / 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. GMT
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Mexico City

Watching options: The match is available on domestic free-to-air and cable TV in Mexico, plus subscription streaming. In the United States, the game airs on major Spanish-language sports television with streaming available through associated platforms. Check your local listings for channel assignments and availability. (Programming and start times may change.)

The series state: Club América needs a statement

Monterrey carries a 2–0 aggregate lead from the first leg, built on efficiency in key moments and a disciplined defensive block. That puts the onus on Club América to score early, tilt field position, and keep control of game states—especially after halftime when the series clock becomes a factor.

Key implications for América:

• Score first: A first-half goal energizes the crowd and unlocks a more aggressive shape without reckless exposure.

• Manage transitions: Monterrey’s threats between the lines punish overcommitted numbers; América must counterpress incisively, not desperately.

• Set pieces matter: Corners and wide free kicks are chance multipliers when space is scarce; delivery quality and second-ball reactions could erase the deficit fast.

Expected lineups and selection questions

Projected XI, Club América (subject to change): Luis Malagón; Kevin Álvarez, Israel Reyes, Sebastián Cáceres, Cristian Borja; Álvaro Fidalgo, Jonathan dos Santos; Alejandro Zendejas, Erick Sánchez; with Rodrigo Aguirre and a central striker option to balance hold-up play and penalty-area presence.

Projected XI, Monterrey (subject to change): Luis Cárdenas; Erick Aguirre, Stefan Medina, Sergio Ramos, Gerardo Arteaga; double pivot anchored by Fidel Ambríz; creators Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres supporting Germán Berterame up top.

Selection watchpoints

• Águilas’ front line: América has to decide between pure width with wingers stretching the back four, or a half-space overload that drags Ramos/Medina into uncomfortable lateral footraces.

• Rayados’ balance: With a cushion, Monterrey can choose patience and counterpunching or press high in pockets to chase the away goal that could deflate the stadium.

Tactical keys: how Club América can flip the script

1. Tempo control with purpose: Quick restarts and short corners can catch Monterrey resetting, but América must avoid forcing hopeful crosses. Using Fidalgo as the metronome, the hosts should alternate between slow possession to move blocks and sudden vertical passes once half-spaces open.

2. Wide isolations vs. recovery pace: Zendejas and Álvarez can create two-v-one situations on the right; the timing of underlaps must coincide with Sánchez’s central gravity to keep Ramos pinned.

3. Counterpress discipline: The first five seconds after losing the ball will define the night. Winning those micro-moments prevents Canales from lifting his head and launching Berterame behind the line.

4. Fouls in smart areas: If America cannot stop transitions, stop them early—without gifting Monterrey dead-ball looks in the final third.

Monterrey’s road map: survive waves, strike selectively

Rayados don’t need to chase the game. Expect a compact mid-block, triggers to press on backward passes, and calculated use of Canales’ passing range once América commits extra bodies forward. The fullbacks’ decision-making—when to step vs. when to tuck—will determine whether América can sustain pressure or gets picked off in transition.

Stakes, pressure, and what a swing looks like

• For Club América: A comeback validates the project’s resilience and keeps a trophy path alive after a strong regular season. Failure to advance would invite scrutiny on chance creation in tight knockout matches.

• For Monterrey: Closing out a heavyweight in Mexico City reinforces title credentials and the dressing room’s belief in managing hostile environments.

Turning-point scenarios

• An América goal before the 30th minute turns the tie into a one-score coin flip with the crowd in full voice.

• A Monterrey away goal forces América to chase three, shifting the hosts from calculated aggression to all-out risk.

Prediction: tense, tactical, and decided late

With the aggregate pressure cranked up, this should be a chess match early and a track meet late. América’s urgency at home likely creates volume, but Monterrey’s structure and experience make them hard to crack twice without reply.

Projection: Club América 1–1 Monterrey on the night; Rayados advance on aggregate.

Note: Lineups and broadcast details are subject to late changes. Keep an eye on official team channels in the lead-up to kickoff.