Game 1: Chivas 3 - 0 Pumas

A great night in Guadalajara, if you are a Chivas fan, but Pumas came away from the Jalisco last night having still been unable to break the 26-year winless run in the stadium after a poor performance against a competent "Rebaño Sagrado".

The goals all came in a ten-minute spell just before half-time, and the University were punished for some serious defensive lapses, and a rather lackadaisical approach to the whole match.

But for Chivas, apart from the result, the match was all about a tribute to legendary goalscorer Salvador "Chava" Reyes (picture), who at 71 years of age and wearing number 57 played the first minute or so for Chivas in recognition of his feats at the club. He was then replaced by Omar Bravo and left the field to a heartfelt ovation and a line of Chivas players each shaking his hand. It was clearly an emotional moment but strange that the Mexican Federation should allow this sort of sentimentality during game time. Surely the moment for this kind of tribute is before kick-off?

The game got underway again with Chivas on top, obviously boosted by the emotion, and Pineda was close to opening the scoring, but his header was pushed away by Bernal. Pineda would have to leave the field minutes later after an injury sustained making that header as he collided with Leandro in the air.

The bite slowly ebbed out of the game, and there was little excitement as Pumas started to organise themselves and create a measure of control. Despite a good twenty-minute spell of concerted possession all they could manage however was a couple of long-range efforts, the best from Leandro going a couple of feet wide.

Meanwhile Chivas had looked well set at the back. Neither Barrera nor Sambueza was having any joy down the flanks and Solari enjoyed very little in the way of service. The referee, Germán Arredondo, was also unnecessarily stepping into the spotlight, with Leandro booked for very little (this was to prove crucial later on), Sambueza for nearly making a tackle, and Scocco for protesting that Pumas should have had a penalty when Reynoso handled in the box. It was a penalty but I can understand why it was not given. Needless to say it becomes clearer why Pumas have had to wait so long for victory in Guadalajara.

In a mad ten minutes just before the break the game was decided. With Pumas still on top, if only in terms of possession, Morales skipped down the left flank past Leandro and put in a low cross expertly finished by Sergio Santana. Chivas had looked the more incisive team but at this stage barely deserved the lead for attacking intent. Morales would almost certainly have been brought down by Leandro if the latter had not already had a yellow card, and the goal would not have been scored (and if my grandma had wheels she'd be a bicycle...I know), but the poor booking dished out to Leandro was crucial. It could be that Arredondo was influenced in giving the card by the injury of Pineda who went down under Leandro's pressure early on. Let us hope that the referee was not compensating.

Eight minutes later, and right on 45 minutes, it was 2-0. This time Pumas allowed themselves to be distracted by Omar Bravo writhing around in typically annoying fashion in the Pumas penalty area and failed to clear their lines. Solis broke down the right and centred for Ávila to shoot firmly between Bernal's legs. With both this goal, and the third, the university side lost concentration once the ball was initially cleared with predictable consequences (not least of which was Tuca going apoplectic).

There was more than a stroke of luck about Chivas' third two minutes later, but again Pumas were guilty of failing to follow up a clearance. A corner was cleared, but only as far as Patricio Araujo 25 yards out, and his strike was hit straight at Verón who managed to jab enough toe onto it to send it into the corner past Bernal. Curiously the referee had already lifted his arm and put his whistle to his mouth to signal half-time but then put it down again to watch Araujo's shot before signalling a goal. Maybe I am missing something but surely if time is up then it is up? Although it would make sense for play to continue till the next stoppage, that is not the rule as it stands. But Arredondo inexplicably was rated as "good" by mediotiempo - make of that what you will.

Tuca will undoubtedly be looking again at the central defence, as it became apparent in this flurry of goals that, while González and Verón may have once met on holiday, they are certainly not familiar enough with each other's game to form a smooth unit at the moment. Previously both played on the right-hand side with Moreno on the left. In this match González was supposedly guarding the right channel but neither player seemed certain of where he was in the system. This pairing either needs more time, or Tuca can turn to Pikolín who effectively partnered Verón this time last year.

The second half was dull in comparison to those goal-filled minutes. Iñiguez came on for a lacklustre Sambueza but made little impact other than a shot from the edge of the area which nearly surprised Michel in the Chivas goal. Still, Pumas were noticeably better and while Guadalajara sat back, they more or less controlled the game. Particularly in the opening phase of the half, they created some problems, with Michel saving from Solari after a nice move by Scocco, and Castro going close with a long-range effort.

Ultimately Pumas lacked sufficient rhythm and spark to break down a well-organised Chivas defence. It helped little when Bonells came on for Scocco as he proceeded to spurn the best chance of the game by taking three touches instead of a first-time shot when put through by Solari. Meanwhile Barrera's quiet afternoon was ended when he was replaced by a subsequently anonymous Fernando Morales.

Tuca was understandably grumpy at the press-conference afterwards, and eventually walked out after being constantly interrupted by the noise from an exuberant crowd. Meanwhile several Pumas fans were arrested for doing what they always do at games - selling shirts. It seems a bit heavy-handed by the police - away fans make the games more interesting and should be encouraged to travel, and if selling a few shirts allows them to pay their way...

So a poor start for Pumas, but they have to pick themselves up for a home game against the champions next week, followed by the big one away to América.

Goals
Sergio Santana (37 mins) 1-0
Sergio Ávila (45) 2-0
Patricio Araujo (45+2) 3-0

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Leandro (a Chivas player fell over), Sambueza (nearly made a tackle), Scocco (mouth)
Chivas: yellow: Ávila (two-footed challenge), Araujo (dragging down Iñiguez by the neck), Solis (late challenge)

Player Ratings
Bernal 7 - did nothing wrong
Espinoza 5 - asleep down the right flank - made Román Morales look good
Velarde 5 - poor defensivley and made no impact going forward
González 5 - individually did ok but he and Verón need to communicate more
Verón 6 - looked ok but seemed unsure of his role
Leandro 7 - Pumas' best player, good movement and work-rate
Castro 5 - failed to protect the centre-backs and was anonymous going forward
Barrera 5 - sluggish and lacking in ideas
Sambueza 5 - looks unfit and did little
Solari 6 - bright with little service
Scocco 6 - closely shackled but one or two sparks
Iñiguez 6 - livelier than Barrera and Sambueza
Bonells 4 - looked out of his depth sadly
Morales - only played 10 minutes

Tuca 6 - failed to get his charges going for such big game, although they were clearly more lively after his half-time rocket. Taking off Scocco for Bonells was a mystery unless he had already decided the game was lost and wanted to give Bonells a bit more experience.

Elsewhere in Mexico
The first goal of the new season was certainly spectacular. Local boy Ignacio Carrasco netted from fully 60 yards to claim a 1-0 win for Morelia at Veracruz.

Cruz Azul and Santos shared the points in the Estadio Azul while Pachuca won 1-0 over Tecos with a Cacho header. Walter Gaitán scored the equaliser for his new club Necaxa in a 1-1 draw in Monterrey, in a game where Monterrey scorer Felipe Baloy was sent off after 13 minutes for a petulant kick (1st yellow) followed by a petulant push (2nd yellow). Tigres also drew 1-1 in San Luis.

Atlante once again provided entertainment drawing 2-2 with Jaguares in Cancún. Trailing 2-1 with a minute to go they conceded a penalty which "el Bofo" Bautista scuffed straight at Vilar. Then charging up the other end they equalised with the last play of the game from a fine Maldonado header.

In the Sunday games, Toluca gained revenge for the Interliga, beating Atlas 2-1 while América played out a goal-less draw at home to Puebla, who were denied a clear penalty by referee José Peñalosa when Rodríguez both tripped and pulled back Cámpora.

Next Up
Pumas play champions Atlante in CU in a re-run of last season's final.