Tijuana have defensive issues: What does Osorio need to adjust?

Xolos have the worst defense after 4 matches

Author

Tom Harrison
January 31, 2025

xG from Fotmob. Other data from Wyscout. Photo from FutbolTotal.

Thought: Changing a play style can take time, especially towards a more possession-based approach. Without an economic advantage it’s normal to suffer in the short-term, but if a team wants to make a medium-to-long-term change, they must remain patient.

A defensive weakness has been a constant during Juan Carlos Osorio’s time in Tijuana. Their xG received per game (removing penalties) was the 3rd highest in Apertura 2024, and is the league worst after 4 Clausura 2025 games. Los Xolos conceded fewer goals than expected last season (taking away penalties, 28 goals from 31.8 xG against), but we’ve seen a regression to the mean in 2025, with 10 goals from 9.8 xG received.

Osorio has dramatically changed Xolos’ play style. Now, Tijuana are a high possession team, pressing with intensity and attempting to build out from the back. This graphic shows a moving average of Xolos’ possession, and the change under Osorio.

Adapting to this play style change can be challenging, requiring time to coach the players and to re-build the squad, leading to short-term problems. Lacking significant funds exacerbates the adaptation problems, as it isn’t possible to quickly re-structure the squad with players that are effective in the new game model.

There’s also a question of whether a patient style is more difficult to carry-out at Estadio Caliente, with the synthetic pitch making ball control more challenging. Average pass accuracy in matches at Estadio Caliente is the lowest amongst Liga MX in the past 3 years, 78%, taking into account accuracy of home and away teams.

It’s important to mention that Osorio’s ideas and play style change has brought positive impacts. Their attack has improved greatly and their xG created last season was above league average for the first time since Clausura 2022.

However, Xolos’ opponents are taking advantage of their vulnerability in defensive transition.

Tijuana are giving away too many clear chances (highest xG per shot against across 2024-25) and too many shots after ball losses in their own half. In just 4 matches this tournament, Xolos’ opponents have created 24 shots following a recovery in Tijuana’s defensive half.

In particular, we can see a clear weakness on their left-side. This heat map shows how frequently Tijuana’s opponents have carried the ball into the box through the left-side of the Xolos defense.

We’ll analyze 2 specific moments that Osorio could adjust to reduce the number of dangerous defensive transitions after losses in their own half.

More compact in the center/Reduce dangerous passes to the center

Trying to build-up through the center can be dangerous. In result of any ball loss, the opponent has a shorter distance to travel to the goal, and therefore the defenders have less time to react and re-organize. Teams have exploited Xolos’ idea to progress through the center, triggering an intense press after Tijuana play into a midfielder.

The problem here is the level of compactness that Tigres have created close to the ball. Around Joe Corona, before receiving the pass, there are 4 Tigres players. Corona doesn’t have option to pass backwards to, or support in case of a turnover.

And the closest Xolos player to the ball is walking, whilst Diego Laínez and Nicolás Ibáñez are moving in attempt to intercept a possible pass.

Laínez recovers the ball, can drive into space and sets-up Juan Brunetta, for his 2nd goal of the match.

A similar situación versus América. Iván Tona should have a more open body shape, to be able to play towards the right-wing, away from América’s press. But with Tona receiving with his back to goal, and América’s numerical superiority around the ball, Las Águilas start to press with intensity, looking to win possession.

América intercept the ball and can attack Tijuana’s box.

Add another player in the 1st line during build-up, on the left side

Another situation where a Xolos player is receiving with his back to goal, under pressure, without an easy option to pass to. Corona has to protect the ball and carry towards the left to find a passing option. If Xolos’ left-back was positioned in the red zone, Corona’s pass would be easier, and would give the left-back more space and a view of the whole pitch. However, his high position gave Tigres the opportunity to intercept the pass.

Javier Aquino had space to drive towards the box after making the interception, without any Tijuana defender covering the left flank.

A similar issue in Osorio’s structure from jornada 1 against Toluca. Here, the left-back is positioned more centrally, but very high. Therefore, he’s disconnected from the play and there’s no rotation to occupy the red zone. Without a clear passing option. Toño Rodríguez plays long, looking for the high left-back.

But the pass was intercepted, and once again Tijuana left a large space on the left-side of their defensive line to be exploited in transition. The attack ends in Toluca’s 1st goal of the match, a cross from the right finding Alexis Vega at the far-post.

Juan Carlos Osorio has spoken about the possibility of bringing in new players in the coming days, however, the 1st step to improving his team defensively is to make adjustments in their structure and positioning. At this moment in time, Xolos’ opponents are exploiting opportunities to press in central zones, and their lack of coverage on the left-side of their back line.

Thank you for reading, if you’d like to contact me regarding any questions, comments or to consult my services, you can contact me on:

También, se puede leer este artículo en Español- https://cambiodejuego.beehiiv.com/