The eight seeded teams have been announced for the Clausura 2023 playoffs, each aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The MX league format is a frequent topic of debate among fans and analysts. The Open 2022 introduced a Confident Restart, followed by a Liguilla system that has persisted for several seasons, designed to heighten excitement as the championship unfolds.
After the long pause caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Mexican club owners sat down to review several issues. Beyond the elimination of relegation and promotion, they approved the return of a second-chance format for teams at the mix of the standings, reinvigorating competition and adding drama to the title chase.
Here at GOAL, the nuances of this new system and its history in the country’s football are explained in more detail.
HOW DOES THE REPECHAGE WORK?
This competition format opens up more paths to titles for a wider set of clubs. Historically, the repechage has served as a lifeline for teams that miss direct qualification to the Liguilla, offering them another route to win a championship.
For this season, rather than simply featuring the top eight teams in the overall standings, the format grants hope to the twelve clubs near the top of the table. The top four teams advance directly to the quarterfinals, while teams ranked from fifth to twelfth enter the repechage to earn a ticket to that stage.
WHICH TEAMS HAVE EMERGED FROM THE REPECHAJE?
After a nearly twelve-year absence, the repechage returned in 2020. Despite a lower league position, clubs entering the Liguilla via this route have still achieved success, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Mexican football.
Historically, only three championship-winning teams have clinched the title after coming through the repechage: Pachuca in Winter 1999, Morelia in Winter 2000, and Chivas in Opening 2006.
THE WINTER TUZOS, 1999: A REPECHAGE HEROIC RUN
QUALIFYING PHASE
QUARTERFINALS
SEMI FINALS
FINAL
MORELIA, 2000: A REPECHAGE ROAD TO GLORY
QUALIFYING PHASE
QUARTERFINALS
SEMI FINALS
FINAL
Won on penalties
Chivas, 2006 Opening: An Open Challenge Through the Repechage
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QUALIFYING PHASE
QUARTERFINALS
SEMI FINALS
FINAL
Notes: The tournament structure, historical context, and outcomes are summarized for reference within the modern Mexican league system.