Mexico faces Honduras at the Estadio Nemesio Díez on Tuesday evening and must come back from a 0-2 deficit to save elimination from the Concacaf Nations League.

Javier Aguirre’s team experienced an evening to quickly forget during the first leg in Honduras. El Tri struggled to impose themselves against a weaker Honduras side, who pounced on Mexico’s mistakes to secure the lead in the draw. If we want to have any chance of reversing the outcome, it will take a much better version of El Tri.

Mexico’s position raised many questions after the defeat. Aguirre gambled, played players out of shape and lined up others out of position. After leaving the field covered in blood because a drink can thrown from the stands had severed his head, Aguirre admitted that the loss was his and that the lineup gamble did not pay off, costing El Tri dearly.

With everything going for them and a two-goal comeback needed, changes are expected in the starting XI. The need for goals could lead to the introduction of more attacking players; However, keeping a clean sheet is also of paramount importance given the away goal rule that applies.

Whatever he decides, Aguirre has no room for error if he wants to avoid bowing out of an international tournament in just his sixth match since returning to manage El Tri for a third time. Critics and even more fan dissatisfaction will follow if Mexico fails to stage a comeback. Needless to say, the pressure is on on players and manager to perform.

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GK: Luis Malagon—Guillermo Ochoa started the first leg in one of the most criticized decisions in the aftermath of the loss. Malagón is currently the most in-form goalkeeper and should be in goal for the second leg.

RB: Jorge Sánchez—Sánchez was overly passive and cautious in his markings on Honduras’ second goal. On the ball, he was one of Mexico’s best players in the first leg.

CB: César Montes—Montes’ mistake led to the first goal on Friday evening. He was asked to play as a left center back and that failed. The defensive leader should be back in his preferred role as right centre-back.

CB: Jesus Orozco—The Chivas centre-back is left-footed and is the clear choice to slide into the XI without having to play other players out of position.

LB: Jesus Angulo—Angulo was usually very solid in defense but struggled in Honduras, making multiple mistakes, getting beaten in 1-on-1 situations and being careless in possession. Better performances will be needed from Tigres’ left back.

CM: Edson Álvarez—The Mexico captain was the hero of Mexico’s comeback against Honduras in last year’s quarter-finals and will look to repeat that effort.

CM: Luis Romo—Romo returns to the XI over Luis Chávez, who was poor in the first leg. Romo’s ability to run into the box adds an extra layer to El Tri’s attack.

RW: Cesar Huerta—Aguirre, predominantly a left winger, switched him to the right in the second half on Friday evening. Given the lack of options and how many minutes Huerta has played under Aguirre, his place in the lineup seems like a given.

LW: Alexis Vega—Vega is one of the most in-form players in Liga MX and will be given the honor of starting and trying to give Mexico an attacking spark at the stadium where he has excelled for Toluca this season.

ST: Julián Quiñones—Quiñones looked lost on the right wing in the first leg, but Mexico’s best minutes came when he drifted central and started to link up with Raúl Jiménez. He flourished as a second striker at Atlas a few years ago, so playing him there against partner Jiménez seems worthwhile.

ST: Raúl Jiménez—The Fulham forward will be hoping for another outing like the one against the USMNT in October. Jiménez will need his teammates to put him in favorable positions in front of goal, unlike in the first leg.

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