Tigres hit a low they have not seen in 11 years after nightmare start to Liga MX Apertura 2026

• Tigres UANL equaled their worst season start in eleven years after gathering only one point from twelve available in Liga MX.

• Interim managers Hernan Elizondo and Carlos Turrubiates face increasing pressure following an early Leagues Cup elimination.

• Historical parallels to the Apertura 2015 title run offer hope even though current squad dynamics require urgent tactical solutions.

The opening weeks of the Liga MX Apertura 2026 tournament have transformed into a sporting crisis for Tigres UANL following another disappointing performance on the domestic stage. The team currently managed on an interim basis by Hernan Elizondo and Carlos Turrubiates suffered a painful defeat against Atlas in round four extending a troubling stretch of three losses and a single draw. This poor run of form comes right after an early exit from the Leagues Cup where the squad failed to record a single victory in regulation time. The lack of defensive consistency and offensive efficiency has left the squad near the bottom of the table generating significant concern among fans and club executives.

 

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Historical parallels with the memorable Apertura 2015 campaign

Gathering just one point out of twelve potential units equals the lowest tally recorded by the Monterrey based franchise over the past eleven years of competition. The last time the team experienced such a difficult start was back during the Apertura 2015 season when they collected identical figures through the first four matches. Interestingly that campaign ended in legendary fashion as the squad engineered a dramatic turnaround starting in week five eventually qualifying for the playoffs and lifting the league trophy. While devoted supporters hope for a similar recovery the current sporting landscape demands immediate improvements in team performance to make such a comeback realistic.

Roster depth differences between two distinct eras

The circumstances surrounding the club during that 2015 championship run were noticeably different from the challenges facing the current 2026 squad. Back then the front office completed one of the most successful transfer windows in Mexican football history by signing French striker Andre Pierre Gignac alongside Javier Aquino and young prospect Jurgen Damm. That influx of talent joined an established core of elite leaders that included Nahuel Guzman Juninho Guido Pizarro Joffre Guerron and Rafael Sobis. That extraordinary concentration of leadership allowed the roster to overcome their initial slump a level of depth that the current interim staff is working hard to establish among their current players.

 

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Memories of Clausura 2014 and structural squad rebuilding

The recent struggles have also reminded analysts of the dismal Clausura 2014 campaign which stands as the worst start for Tigres in modern short tournament history after collecting merely four points out of twenty one. During that tournament the team failed to qualify for the postseason finishing in fourteenth place with only twenty one total points. That major disappointment forced the organization to initiate a comprehensive roster rebuild parting ways with established stars while bringing in key figures like goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman. That strategic overhaul ultimately paved the way for a spot in the Apertura 2014 final and marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of success for the franchise.

Cover photos from: @clubtigres