Sun Jan 11 02:10:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Toluca Faces Monterrey in Season Opener Without Key Players After Championship Run

The Story:
Toluca, the reigning Liga MX champions, will begin their Clausura 2026 campaign with a challenging away match against Rayados de Monterrey. However, the team will be without three key players: Alexis Vega, Paulinho, and Marcel Ruiz. This decision was mutually agreed upon by the players and coach Antonio Mohamed, acknowledging the short turnaround between winning the Apertura title in late December 2025 and the start of the new season.

Coach Mohamed has opted to give these players some rest to ensure they are fully fit for the remainder of the season, prioritizing their long-term performance and the pursuit of a historic “tricampeonato” (three-time championship). As a result, Toluca is expected to field a more experimental lineup against Monterrey, with players like Pavel Pérez, Oswaldo Virgen, and Jorge Díaz Price stepping up to fill the void.

Key Points:
* Toluca will play against Rayados de Monterrey in their Clausura 2026 debut.
* Alexis Vega, Paulinho, and Marcel Ruiz will be absent from the match.
* The decision to rest these players was made jointly by the players and Coach Antonio Mohamed due to the short offseason.
* Pavel Pérez, Oswaldo Virgen, and Jorge Díaz Price are expected to fill in for the missing players.
* Coach Mohamed is prioritizing the long-term health and fitness of key players for the entire season.

Key Takeaways:
* Winning championships doesn’t guarantee an easy path forward, especially with demanding schedules.
* Player welfare is becoming an increasingly important factor in team management, even at the expense of short-term results.
* This match provides an opportunity for fringe players to prove their value to the team.
* Toluca’s depth will be tested early in the season.
* The team’s ambition to win a third consecutive championship is driving their strategic decisions regarding player rest.

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