André-Pierre Gignac’s physics-defying golazo in the 43rd minute was the difference maker, as Tigres UANL downed Club Tijuana 1-0 at El Volcán. Tijuana’s road woes were extended in Nuevo León, as they once again did not score while away from Estadio Caliente.
Tijuana’s lineup and formation were significantly different from their usual, with only Gibran Lajud, Pablo Aguilar, and Juan Carlos “Topo” Valenzuela having started the previous game against the New York Red Bulls. With five natural center backs, the setup was unconventional but somehow worked - to a degree.
Tijuana played a very conservative, defensive game early on.