Liga MX 2025. Team of the week: ruiz's devilish precision and paradela's rocket

The matches of the 14th round of the Liga MX Clausura (Mexican Championship) 2025 took place from April 4-6.

On the first matchday, Querétaro and León played to a draw, each scoring one goal, Necaxa defeated Tijuana away, while Puebla and Tigres did not score.

On the second matchday, Atlas and Juárez played to a draw, Pachuca ended América's five-match unbeaten streak, San Luis was stronger than Mazatlán, Monterrey defeated Chivas, and Cruz Azul overcame Pumas.

On the third matchday, Toluca was stronger than Santos Laguna.

Introducing the symbolic team of the 14th round

• Goalkeeper: Óscar Jiménez (León)

The 36-year-old goalkeeper proved he's ready to become the mainstay at León. Though he conceded one goal, he helped the team avoid a fourth consecutive defeat. Jiménez made 7 saves, 6 of which were inside the box. Óscar delivered 21 (95%) accurate passes, two of which were long.

• Left-back: Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)

The 30-year-old Mexican played a key role in the victory over Santos Laguna. Jesús provided two assists for the second consecutive game.

Gallardo delivered 37 (97%) accurate passes, including 4 key passes and one long pass, as well as one cross. He won all three aerial duels and made a successful dribble attempt.

• Center-back: Óscar Manzanares (Querétaro)

The 29-year-old defender made 9 clearances and 2 tackles, as well as blocking one opponent's shot. Óscar delivered 27 (98%) accurate passes. All 4 of his long passes reached their target. Out of 9 ground and aerial duels, Manzanares won 7.

• Right-back: Ricardo Chávez (Monterrey)

The 30-year-old Mexican made 7 tackles and 5 clearances against Chivas, as well as blocking 2 shots and making 2 interceptions. He delivered 4 long passes and 1 key pass. Ricardo won 7 out of 10 ground duels and 2 out of 3 aerial duels.

• Left midfielder: Sébastien Salles-Lamonge (San Luis)

In the match against Mazatlán, the 26-year-old Frenchman first provided an assist and then converted a penalty. It's the second consecutive match where he recorded a goal and an assist. Salles-Lamonge has scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists this season.

Against Mazatlán, Sébastien delivered 39 (80%) accurate passes, including 3 key passes and 3 long passes, 2 crosses, and made one interception.

• Central midfielder: José Paradela (Necaxa)

The 26-year-old Argentine secured “The Lightning's” 9th victory in the championship against Tijuana with a stunning long-range strike.

José delivered 3 key passes, made 2 accurate crosses, and completed a successful dribble. Paradela made 2 interceptions and 2 tackles, as well as one clearance.

• Right midfielder: Marcel Ruiz (Toluca)

At the end of the first half against Santos Laguna, the 24-year-old Mexican doubled the “Red Devils'” lead with a beautiful long-range shot. This was Ruiz's second goal of the current campaign.

Marcel made 3 tackles and 2 clearances, as well as 2 interceptions, winning 6 out of 10 ground and aerial duels. He delivered 47 (91%) accurate passes, including 2 long and one key pass.

• Left winger: Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul)

The 28-year-old Argentine scored 2 out of 3 goals for “The Cement Makers” against Pumas. Carlos last scored a brace in the summer of last year.

Rotondi delivered one key and one long pass, as well as two accurate crosses, one successful dribble, and one clearance.

• Right winger: James Rodríguez (León)

The 33-year-old León captain delivered 74 (86%) accurate passes, including 9 long, 5 key, and 6 crosses. James created one goal-scoring opportunity and provided an assist.

This is his 6th assist of the season. The Colombian ranks second in the championship for assists. Rodríguez won 4 out of 6 ground duels and forced the opponent to foul him 4 times.

However, there was a negative moment in the match. James showed his frustration with the refereeing by throwing a boot after a foul, earning him a yellow card.

• Forward: Roberto De La Rosa (Monterrey)

The 25-year-old Mexican made a decisive contribution to “The Striped Ones'” victory over Chivas. In the 9th minute, De La Rosa scored his first goal of the season. Nineteen minutes later, he assisted Germán Berterame, doubling Monterrey's lead.

Roberto also delivered 100% accurate passes, including 3 key passes, one long pass, and one cross. He won 2 out of 3 ground duels and forced fouls on himself twice.

• Forward: Salomón Rondón (Pachuca)

In the 20th minute of the match against América, the 35-year-old Venezuelan, receiving a brilliant pass from his own half by Jorge Berlanga, outran a defender and scored what turned out to be the winning goal. This is the captain of Pachuca's 6th goal in 13 matches this season.

• Coach: Guillermo Almada (Pachuca)

The success of the Uruguayan specialist's team is attributed to Almada's sound tactical preparation, which established a reliable defense. Additionally, Almada had the advantage since América didn't field their best lineup, keeping key players for the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League match.

Finally, the victory further confirmed Almada's coaching mastery in personal duels with América's coach André Jardine. In 12 personal encounters, the Uruguayan has won 6, with 4 draws and only two defeats.