Mexico Faces Valencia in Unique International Friendly: Lineup Predictions and Key Players

Mexico‘s national football team, El Tri, is set to face off against Valencia CF in an international friendly match on October 12, 2024, at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla. This match marks the first time Mexico will play against a club team since 2013 and is part of the October FIFA international break.

Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, is expected to use this match to evaluate various players and explore different lineup options as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup. Key players such as Raúl Jiménez, who has had a strong start to the Premier League season with Fulham, and Guillermo Ochoa, a five-time World Cup goalkeeper, are set to return to the squad. Edsón Álvarez of West Ham United is also back after missing the previous international break due to injury.

The predicted lineup for Mexico includes Luis Malagón in goal, with a defensive line featuring Bryan González, César Montes, Jesús Orozco, and possibly Rodrigo Huescas. In midfield, Andrés Guardado, who will be playing his final match for El Tri, will be partnered with Luis Romo. The attacking lineup could include Alexis Véga, Sebastián Cordova, Roberto Alvarado, and Raúl Jiménez up front.

Valencia CF, currently struggling in La Liga and sitting in 18th place, will travel to Mexico without several key players due to international commitments and injuries. The Spanish team’s lineup is expected to include several players from their youth categories, as many regulars are unavailable.

This friendly match is seen as an opportunity for Mexico to test its depth and for Aguirre to maintain his unbeaten record since taking over as manager. The match also serves as a warm-up for Mexico’s more significant challenge against the USMNT on Tuesday, where they aim to end a seven-game winless streak against their northern neighbors.