Click here for Mexico's confirmed XI vs. Sweden
So far, Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio has gotten it all right.
His game plan against Germany worked. His game plan against South Korea worked. Other than some inefficient substitutions in the second match and a late goal for the Asian side that could come back to haunt El Tri, it's all gone according to plan. It really has all gone better than planned.
Yet, the manager went to bed Tuesday knowing his work wasn't done. Rather than make big changes with a spot in the round of 16 secured, he must pick a lineup that can get at least a point and put Mexico atop the group (though he's likely to try and get all three).
As we do before every match, Goal takes a look at three potential starting XIs for Mexico against Korea.
Mexico World Cup standard
Could it be? Could the man ridiculed as Juan Cambios (Changes) Osorio actually ... not change? It doesn't seem right and it doesn't seem likely, but the manager made just one modification between the first World Cup match and the second one. After making sweeping changes in previous tournaments, the time may be right to keep things as similar as possible. After all, the team functioned just about as well as possible against Germany and built on that performance against Korea.
There may not be enough rest to do this. Mexico played in Rostov just four days ago, and with the majority of these players also starting against Germany, a manager as concerned with his players' physical status as Osorio may be reluctant to roll out the same XI. That said, while it would be out of character for the coach, he could be tempted to stick with what has gotten him to this point.
Three at the back
Hector Moreno was not at full fitness before the World Cup and is in yellow card jeopardy after his booking against Germany. While there is no left-footed center back in the squad, it may be the time to give Moreno a rest and go to three at the back. That would shift over Carlos Salcedo, who had a tremendous game at right center back against Korea, bring Hugo Ayala back into the roster and have Edson Alvarez come further inside.
Up front, things are mostly the same with the attacking trident of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Hirving Lozano and Carlos Vela back. Andres Guardao and Hector Herrera repeat their roles in the middle (Herrera also was booked earlier in the tournament and could be replaced by Jonathan dos Santos), while both Miguel Layun and Jesus Gallardo work to generate attack on the wings but also get back if needed to defend.
Osorio makes big changes
The group isn't won, but it won't take too much. Osorio could give his regulars some time off while still playing a well-rotated group. Tigres winger Javier Aquino is one of seven Mexico players yet to debut, and he could be the kind of player Osoiro needs against Sweden. His preference to have the ball played to his feet is countered by Jesus "Tecatito" Corona on the other side.
Both players on yellows are taken out of the squad in this projection with Salcedo sliding over and bumping everyone else as well. Jona dos Santos would make his World Cup debut as a defensive midfielder whose job was to protect the center backs.
Up top, Raul Jimenez comes in. He's a player who is good in the air, something that Osorio will prize against the tall and physical Swedes, with Aquino and Corona on either side.
