How to beat expectations in Liga MX Femenil

Thought: Pumas and Cruz Azul have shown that; with a clear tactical idea, the development of a specific strength and suitable signings for the play style, it’s possible to create a highly competitive side in Liga MX Femenil.

Data from Golstats and Wyscout, photo from FutbolTotal.

With just three more jornadas this season, there are a few surprises in Liga MX Femenil. The five most dominant teams historically (the five that have made the final) normally stand-out at the top of the xG table at this stage of the season. However, the current top five doesn’t contain back-to-back champion Rayadas, or Chivas. In their places, we have the two surprises of the season; Pumas and Cruz Azul.

It’s important to mention their advantages of being based in Mexico City, an attractive city to live in, which contains three Liga MX teams. Both sides have taken advantage of opportunities to bring-in players after leaving other clubs from the capital. Cruz Azul strengthened with three Pumas players; Aerial Chavarín, Deneisha Blackwood and Yaneisy Rodríguez, whilst UNAM’s top-scorer Stephanie Ribeiro arrived from América in 2022. Pumas could replace Chavarín and Blackwood by attracting young talents from Ecuador and Colombia; Nayely Bolaños and Wendy Bonilla.

But apart from the signings, what have Cruz Azul and Pumas done to compete with the best sides in the league? How have they set-up tactically?

Cruz Azul- An intense press

The intensity and effectiveness of the press is one of the most important and decisive concepts in Liga MX Femenil. The scatter chart shows that nearly all teams with an xG difference around or above average, also have a more effective press. These teams recover the ball more frequently in the opposition half and their PPDA is lower (their opponents complete fewer passes before a defensive action).

Only América have a lower PPDA than Cruz Azul this season, showing their effectiveness out of possession, whilst Pumas are the only team that have been successful with a much more passive defense.

PPDA has been inverted on the graph, to show more intense sides higher up on the scatter.

La Máquina use a 4-1-4-1/4-3-3 formation to press, with high intensity in the first line and holding midfielder Valeria Valdez covering space in front of the defense, and making interceptions when their press forces long balls.

The next visualization shows where Cruz Azul and Pumas have most frequently recovered the ball this season, versus league average. Cruz Azul’s press creates ball recoveries in the opposition half, centrally and out wide, leading to dangerous counter-attacks after winning the ball back in higher zones.

In their defensive line, La Máquina have three centre-backs with above average abilities in the air, that are capable of defending long passes. Also, their left-centre-back, Lía Martínez or Valeria Miranda is capable of jumping and being aggressive out of possession. Having, at least, one more aggressive centre-back can be important for a team that’s looking to press higher, and their abilities explain why Cruz Azul have made more recoveries on the left-side of their own-half.

Percentile rank: 0-33. 34-66. 67-100.

Pumas UNAM- Effective verticality

The graphic below shows Pumas’ key strength. During Clausura 2025, Pumas are the only team that’s combined a more direct idea with better ball retention than league average. Teams with a positive xG difference tend to complete a higher percentage of their passes, when taking into account the context of their verticality.

% of passes are long vs pass success %

Pumas’ starting system is a 4-4-2, and their wide attackers occupy advanced positions, frequently moving inside in order to generate more passing options for their direct play, or to have a more compact structure in order to win second balls.

The signing of Nayely Bolaños has also been an important factor in the efficiency of their directness, with her ability to receive passes and hold-up the ball back-to-goal. Their other striker, Stephanie Ribeiro, is one of the most productive forwards in the penalty area, given her excellent movement and finishing. It’s a great partnership, with varying and complimentary profiles.

Percentile rank: 0-33. 34-66. 67-100.

With different game ideas, Cruz Azul and Pumas have created similar strengths. Both teams generate territory, playing more in the opposition half.

The heat maps show where each side has attempted more passes this season, ordered by their possession quantity.

Green zone = More passes in the zone. Red zone = Fewer passes in the zone.

The three best teams in Clausura 2025; América, Tigres and Pachuca, have dominated possession and territory, whilst teams like Monterrey, Juárez and Toluca haven’t been as effective at progressing the ball forwards, despite having a lot of possession.

Cruz Azul and Pumas stand-out for their amount of passes towards the centre of the final fourth of the pitch. With their high press, Cruz Azul have often prevented opponents from moving the ball forwards, and given their high recoveries, don’t have to build-up as much from their own half. Pumas have made more passes in their own half, but with their verticality in the centre of the pitch, they frequently progress the ball towards the most dangerous, high-value zones.

Liga MX Femenil has much less parity than the men’s league, and it’s extremely difficult to beat teams with higher budgets across two-legged liguilla matches. However, with a clear tactical idea, the development of a specific strength, a focus on territory and smart signings to fit the style of play, it’s possible to create a highly competitive side.

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