Game 9: Chivas home

Pumas v Chivas
11th March 2007
CU

Video "Colour" piece
Full Jornada 8m30s

A bright and interesting game finished level, and proved that Pumas can hold, and trouble, the best in Mexico.

With Pareja out we all expected to see Espinosa come in for him, but in the end it was Barrera who started. RoRo still in goal, for injured Bernal, and Chiapas out left. Tuca stuck with Paco Palenica and Ignacio Scocco up front. This was the 100th league game between these clubs.

The opening minutes showed us we weren’t scared of them, and wanted to take the game to them. We certainly were in control for periods of this game, as were they. Overall, as the first half wore on Chivas came more into it, having long periods of decent possession. Twice they missed with headers, from being free in the box, and twice late in this first half RoRo flapped at crosses, looking like his position was inaccurate.

However, we went in on terms, and despite Chivas pressure towards the end of the half, it was very much a fair reflection. We had periods of possession as well, although we occasionally gave the ball away needlessly. At the back we were reading them pretty well, and Pikolin and Veron controlled things very well. Against this attack you need to be organised and concentrate throughout, they are very fluid, and showed us some of their nice little moves, touches and one-twos. However, our back four, particularly the centre-backs read and covered so well these came to nothing.

You don’t beat Chivas in the middle of the park, and today both Sancho and Leandro were not on top form. I would not like to say that they were poor, but Leandro seemed to be thinking off the pace, but both did keep their presence felt throughout, although undoubtedly Leandro was too deep too often – he’s at his most dangerous pushing, I think, and he should have faith in his skipper slightly deeper.

Up front Paco Palencia was once again also too deep too often. I am not sure if this is because Leandro was drifting back, or Leandro was because of Paco. He is strong, holds the ball up beautifully, but is so slow he cannot really afford to be too deep. Scocco kept the pressure on them, by hustling more than normal, and he stole the ball off defenders a couple of times, once having a decent shot, saved nicely.

But all day Scocco was not keen enough to make the quick pass. He was not alone in this, Leandro, Sancho and Chiapas all notable in this failing, also. Young Jehu Chiapas had a better game, was in the thick of it more, but always spent far too much time on the ball before releasing it. Many many times Scocco or Paco would have a good position in the centre, with space, only to find no service.

The second half was very entertaining, and could have been won by both sides. RoRo more than made up for his first half nerves by three times out doing Omar Bravo in one-on-ones. Yes – THREE times. He was fearless in going in, positioning excellent, and stood up well. The first time going in bravely and holding onto the ball to boot Meanwhile, at the other end a fine piece of skill and determination by Scocco, followed by an equally determined Palencia saw us have an excellent chance, which somehow went wide. I swear in the stadium I saw the net bulge.

Last season this tie ended nil all, with Chivas having an goal ruled out for offside, so it proved the same today. We were growing throughout the second half, but a fine breakaway saw the goal in the net, the initial chance saved. A rather late whistle (the ref seemed late on spotting his linesman's flags all day) allowed us to breath easy again.

The last 20 minutes or so you could really only see us scoring. Chiapas hit the post with a rocket of a shot, and few minutes later Castro hit the same post from way out as well. Íñiguez came on, and very late a perfect cross by Leandro was met very well by him, and his header was downwards and towards the bottom corner, and was well saved (by the fingernails, the paper says). We felt we were pushing for a goal at this stage, but a draw was clearly a fair result in this enjoyable encounter.

Pumas hero and legend Jose Luis “Parejita” Lopez is suspended, as you know, and he watched the first half from the Pebetero, in the middle of the Rebel. This is the sort of thing that makes him a legend of the team, and older viewers may remember Kikin Fonseca doing the same a few years back. We just managed to see his blond highlights bobbing around there, heres a video, watch to the end, as he walks towards the camera. And here's a quick look off the telly.

Ratings:-
Rogelio Rodríguez – 9 – mom – so looked a little at sea first half, but those three one-on-ones with Bravo clearly get him man of the match. Brave, honest and skillful in all three. All on his 31st birthday, and in his 100th league match

Castro – 8 – solid as always, and a lovely shot late on, good at back, good going forward. Remarkable composure
Pikolin – 7 – sorry Kenny, he had yet another good game
Veron – 7 – leading things, yet is not shy about showing confidence in Pikolin
Velarde – 7 – I thought he looked good today, not sure why he came off, maybe injury? (subbed 56 mins)

Barrera – 7 – this is the best I have seen him play for Pumas (subbed off 60 mins)
Sancho – 6 – worked hard, to be fair
Leandro – 6 – too often with no idea what to do with the ball, but a lovely lovely cross late on
Chiapas – 7 – in it, and a great shot. Best game so far for us

Palencia – 7 – holds it up well, worked ok, but really should have scored. Too often not to be found in the danger area
Scocco – 7 – definitely saw the flashes that can change a game, worked hard, but must remember it’s a team game (subbed off 81 mins)

Subs:-
Espinosa – 7 – came on at left back, and did a good job
Íñiguez – 7 – looked lively, and had a good header well saved. He’s off my “whipping boy” list
Gonzalez – 6 – not much time, and although a different sort of player his positive thinking is something Paco lacks.

DT
Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti – 7 – decent enough job, but changes uninspired, he could have taken a risk and brought Gonzalez on for Paco after 65 or so, he could have brought him on for Chiapas, even. Still a solid performance, and 0-0 against the Champions, that’s fine.

Cards:-
Pumas
Sancho – 16 mins – they always seem to like to book Sancho early, I think this was for chat
Veron – 33 mins – not a foul. He was standing behind Medina, who simply crumpled to the ground, without any hint of contact. The Chivas players played the ref all afternoon

Chivas
Pineda – 16 mins – got a good reception from his old team, as did Palencia
Rodriguez – 67 mins
Medina – 83 mins

Crowd:-
62,000 – including the suspended Jose Luis “Parejita” Lopez, and Micky Huidobro out of Molotov. Pareja watched the first half from Pebetero with the Rebel, and second half from Palomar. Pebetero kept in for 20 minutes at the end. Part of the home crowd kept back, but away fans let out at same time as most of the home crowd. Twats.

Elsewhere in Mexico:-
The other big game on Sunday, America v Cruz Azul also finished goalless. Cruz Azul had the best of it, and America don’t look much without Blanco, who will probably be going to Chicago Fire in the summer. Bottom of the table clash saw a Ludueña led victory for Santos 3-2 over San Luis. He scored a corker. Queretaro also won 2-0 v Necaxa, who we see next. Atlas lost 1-0 to Jaguares. Toluca finally win, seeing off Tigres 2-0.

Those of you in Quintana Roo, don’t forget Tuesday night (13th March) Interplaya have a game against MLS team New England Revolution. No idea why, Trick thinks the Revolution wanted to get away from the snow.

Pumas Morelos:-
Lost 1-0 to Rayados de Monterrey, and next week have Tampico Madero at home.

Descenso:-
We stay 4th out of 6 in group C, and 13th out of 18 in relegation table. Just to recap, the relegation sees one team go down each year (in June), and is worked out by points divided by games played over three full seasons (six half seasons). Going to get me calculator out, because I think in a couple of weeks we may be mathematically safe.

Next Up:-
Another double jornada, on Thursday night at 8.30pm we are away at Necaxa in El Estadio Victoria en Aguascalientes. Then on Sunday 18th March we are at home against Queretaro 12 noon.