Mexico is going to play the first of their final 2 tune up games ahead of the World Cup this Wednesday. What is Tata Martino going to be looking for in this particular matchup against Iraq? Will the game really help determine the starting 11 that will take the field against Poland in Mexico’s first game of the tournament? We feel there are a couple of things to be on the lookout for!
Henry Martin’s Probably Getting The Start
That number 9 spot is one that seems to still be up for grabs in Mexico heading into the World Cup. The player who ultimately starts against Iraq is going to have a good chance to be the starter against Poland. Santi Gimenez is not going to be with the team for this game, so he’s out. That opens the door for Henry Martin who has been the starter in Mexico’s last two friendly games.
Martino could throw a curve ball though, and start Funes Mori. If that’s the case look for him to be Mexico’s starting number 9 against Poland to open the World Cup. Another detail to keep an eye on is potential playing time for Raul Jimenez. He got released early by Wolves to see if he could make a miraculous recovery to play for Mexico in the World Cup. The latest reports indicate that he is in fact participating in most practice drills today with the team. Him seeing any minutes in this particular game could be a sing that he will in fact be a part of the 26 players that Martino will take to the World Cup.
The Midfield Could Be Close To The One That Start Against Poland
Edson Alvarez may be the only player who will start in that midfield against Poland, that won’t be available for this upcoming game against Iraq. Other than that though, look for that Mexico midfield to look very similar on Wednesday compared to what we expect to start against Poland. The starting 11 could include the likes of Luis Chavez, and Charly Rodríguez. That third player in that midfield is still up in the air though. This Iraq game could be the last chance for someone like Luis Romo, or even Erick Sanchez to punch their ticket to the World Cup. If Hector Herrera is healthy enough to start he could command playing time away from the other two, and ultimately have them cut from the squad! Many of those players on the bubble could have a lot riding on this Iraq game!
Are Any Of The Players Not With The Team Yet Going To Be Displaced Because Of This?
There are 3 players that are not going to be with the team for this game against Iraq who could lose their spot on the starting 11 because of this. Santi Gimenez is certainly one of those players, in fact if Raul Jimenez is healthy his stint with the national team ahead of the World Cup could be overly brief since he’d be one of the players cut from the team. Jorge Sanchez, and Erick Gutierrez could be in difficult positions as well. Sanchez has not looked good throughout his time at Ajax. He could get benched in favor of Pachuca’s Kevin Alvarez who ended the season on a high note. Gutierrez for his part won’t get a chance to compete for one of the spots on that starting midfield. He was looking like he was going to be on the outside looking in regardless. The fact that he won’t get a chance to fight for a spot in these last two games could certainly hurt him.
