Club America's Javier Guemez (L) struggles with Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin. (Photo : Reuters)
Liga MX Apertura winners Club América meets Portuguese champions SL Benfica as the 2015 International Champions Cup winds down this summer. The friendly is scheduled to be held in Mexico City, at Las Águilas' home stadium of Estadio Azteca on Tuesday, July 28.
Ignacio Ambríz's squad was having a rough preseason experience as they lost two of their three games so far in the mini-competitions. Their only win was against MLS team San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, in their second game.
Los Azulcremas' last game was a 0-1 setback against a new-look English club Manchester United last July 17, as reported by Sportskeeda.
This match with Benfica will be their fourth and final game in this friendlies. A win would give them a respectable six points in the final tally, but would not be enough to be crowned as preseason champs.
Meanwhile, Benfica is also struggling with two straight losses this summer. Their last match was a shootout loss to Italian club Fiorentina, 0-0 (5-4), via ESPN.
They will face the New York Red Bulls first on Sunday before this meeting with the Mexicans.
Prediction: A tough 2-1 victory for América. The satisfaction of playing in front of their hometown fans will tide them through the Portuguese. While the atmosphere would be more of an exhibition as it actually is, it would still be an enjoyable match and both teams will provide the crowd what they want.
Club América starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): González; Burón, Aguilar, Goltz, Güemez, Mares; Samudio, Martinez, Sambueza; Quintero, Arroyo
SL Benfica starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): César; Luisão, Jardel, Almeida, Eliseu; Talisca, Gaitan, Samaris, Fejsa; Jonas, Lima
