Ramon Juarez or Igor Lichnovsky would be the only doubt that coach Andre Jardine has regarding America's starting eleven to debut in the playoffs vs. Monterrey, after it was confirmed that for the first time in a long time, the Eagles have their full squad available. The doubt stems from purely tactical considerations by Brazilian coach Jardine, who throughout the championship has resisted giving Ramon Juarez a permanent starting position, despite the Mexican defender having played better in several matches than the Chilean Lichnovsky. Rumors have even surfaced within the America camp that the Brazilian strategist's decision not to fully commit to Juarez is due to personal reasons, especially the Mexican center-back's behavior when he hasn't been considered, which the player himself believes is unfair. The only doubt would be the aforementioned starting lineup, with Luis Malagon in goal, Kevin Alvarez on the right and Cristian Borja on the left in defense, and Sebastian Caceres and either Ramon Juarez or Igor Lichnovsky in central defense.

In midfield, Israel Reyes and Alvaro Fidalgo will be called up as holding midfielders, while Erick Sanchez and Alejandro Zendejas will appear as wingers, leaving Uruguayan Rodrigo Aguirre and Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin as the center forwards.

On the bench, they will have options including Uruguayan Rodolfo Cota, Brian Rodriguez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Isaias Violante, Alexis Gutierrez, Victor Davila, Jose Zuniga, and especially the return of the great veteran Henry Martin, who, after playing only 111 minutes in the 2025 Apertura tournament, will be considered for the bench, ready to play when required.

The schedule changes do not benefit America

Coach Andre Jardine dismissed the idea that the schedule changes in the playoffs and the scheduling of three games on Wednesday and only one on Thursday were to benefit America.

He assured that all teams will start the competition on similar footing. “We respect Monterrey as a rival, but we are strong in the playoffs, we are used to these kinds of matches and we must make them feel it. We will need all our drive and hunger to bring back a good result from a beautiful stadium that will surely be full,” the Club America coach emphasized.