Monterrey Faces Pumas in High-Stakes Play-In Match

Monterrey, Mexico — On Sunday, Monterrey will host Pumas in a crucial Play-In match for the Liga MX Clausura 2025. The stakes are high as Monterrey seeks to avoid elimination, a scenario they have not faced since the Apertura 2020.

The team, led by coach Martín Demichelis, suffered a last-minute defeat in their previous match, creating pressure to win against Pumas. They will welcome back key players, including Sergio Ramos, who has shown strong performance, losing just one match in eight outings with the team.

Pumas has not defeated Monterrey in the past three years, with their last victory dating back to the 2022 Clausura. Furthermore, Monterrey has maintained a remarkable home record against Pumas, remaining unbeaten at Estadio BBVA for the past 12 years.

This upcoming match is part of the Serie AB Play-In, introduced for the fourth time in Mexican football. In previous editions, the home team advanced each time: León over Santos in Apertura 2023, Pachuca over Necaxa in Clausura 2024, and Tijuana defeating Atlas in Apertura 2024.

The encounter marks the sixth time Monterrey and Pumas meet in playoffs, where the historical balance remains even, with each team winning two series. However, Monterrey’s record at home looms large as they have never lost to Pumas at BBVA Stadium.

Pumas striker Rogelio Funes Mori, a former Monterrey player, aims to break the losing streak against his former team. The last playoff clash was in Apertura 2024, where Monterrey defeated Pumas 1-0 in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

In light of recent performances, both teams face their demons. While Monterrey struggles with team cohesion under Demichelis, Pumas finds themselves battling injuries and a subpar squad. Nevertheless, Pumas hopes to leverage their fighting spirit to shake off the past.

The match not only represents the last chance for both teams to stay alive in the tournament, but it also has broader implications, as advancing could stabilize or challenge coaching positions. With the implications weighing heavily, this match will surely captivate fans.

Will Monterrey’s fortress remain unbreached, or can Pumas pull off a historic victory in Monterrey territory? Fans are eager to find out this Sunday.