Club America vs. Pumas UNAM: Time, TV schedule and game preview

For the second straight tournament, Club America finished top of the table in Liga MX. And for the second straight season, they’re in danger of getting upset in the first round. Local rivals Pumas UNAM won the first leg of their Liguilla quarterfinal 1-0 at home, meaning America will need to score three if the visitors get on the board at Estadio Azteca on Saturday.

There’s big news on the injury front for both teams. It’s positive for America, but not great for Pumas. Rubens Sambueza should return to the lineup for America, and they need him. The Eagles struggled without him in their attack in the first leg. Pumas, meanwhile, will have to make a change in goal. Alejandro Palacios picked up an injury in the last match, so Alfredo Saldívar will have to start.

Key player - Ismael Sosa (Pumas)

Pumas do not have to score to advance in this tie, but they’ll be much better off if they do. And on the evidence of their first leg performance, they’ll depend on Ismael Sosa to create their best scoring opportunities. Sosa was his team’s most dangerous attacker in that game and was unlucky not to score. America didn’t appear to have an answer for him, and they probably won’t be able to keep him out of the box score if they give him the same amount of time and space on the ball.

Key matchup - Pumas’ defensive midfielders vs. Rubens Sambueza

Sambueza is the key link between America’s defense and striker Oribe Peralta, something America was missing on Wednesday. He’s expected to play in this game, and it’ll be up to Martin Romagnoli and David Cabrera to keep him from finding pockets of space in midfield.

Match date/time: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

TV: Univision/Univision Deportes (U.S.), Canal de las Estrellas/TDN (Mexico)