Game 2: Pumas 1 - 2 Atlante

So Pumas' poor start continues. In a game they again dominated without looking particularly menacing, two Atlante goals in their best twenty-minute spell in the middle of the second half kept them unbeaten in their title defence and consigned Pumas to the bottom of the General Classification.

After the return of "El Chícharo" to Monterrey, and the absence of Nkong on African Nations Cup duty, the Mexican champions nevertheless fielded a strong side in CU. And other than Patiño in goal for Bernal, Pumas fielded the side that started the final back in December. Verón took on the captains armband.

The first ten minutes had little action as both teams felt their way into the game. But slowly Pumas gained the ascendancy with Castro working dynamically box to box and Verón directing the defence calmly. There were even calls for a penalty to Pumas when Barrera was checked in the penalty area after a nice ball from Castro, but referee Erim Ramírez was right to wave play on.

But despite a measure of control Hierro (who took a Leandro cross right off Solari's head due to excellent marking) and Carevic in the heart of the "Potro" defence were looking untroubled, and Zamora had a few nice moments for the Cancún team. Pumas managed more down the flanks than against Chivas, but both Sambueza and Barrera were still a little out of sorts.

The referee kept play moving as best he could, discouraging diving with a couple of well-judged yellow cards, but despite ample possession there were very few chances for Pumas, and Atlante almost created as much up the other end. In fact in the 39th minute they nearly went ahead but Guerrero's long range shot was wonderfully saved by Patiño, and in the same minute the referee rightly turned down claims for a penalty when the ball hit Espinoza's arm as he was turning away. Then Pereyra escaped but he both put the ball wide when lobbing it over Patiño, and was (wrongly) flagged for offside by assistant referee José Santana. Meanwhile at the other end González appeared unmarked at a corner but was unable to force his header past Vilar.

It was a half reminiscent of the first leg of the final, with the university in control but lacking the killer touch, and Atlante looking dangerous on the break but well marshalled by Verón.

Within two minutes of the restart Pumas were ahead and playing more direct football. At this stage you felt that they could and should go on to win the game. A long-range shot rebounded to Barrera wide right and he skipped passed Ovalle before delivering a fine far post cross that Sambueza finished with a diving header. José Cruz reacted almost immediately bringing off Carevic, a central defender, for attacking midfielder and new signing Daniel Arismendi (variously known as "Cafu" and "Tyson").

Pumas were still the better team at this stage, and Scocco went close with a header from a corner, and a frustrated Toledo was booked for charging Castro as he raced clear. But the Atlante equaliser changed the game completely. Espinoza made a poor headed clearance which landed near the edge of the box and Pereyra took a shot. Verón turned away and it struck him on the arm, and Ramírez swiftly pointed to the spot. "El Místico" Pereyra sidefooted the penalty into the top left-hand corner and Atlante were level. It was a very tough call on Pumas, and possibly the only poor decision the referee had made up until then, but it changed the match.

Suddenly Atlante had their tails up and were looking much brighter than earlier in the game. Maldonado had a nice shot saved by Patiño while Scocco and Solari had little opportunity to shine during this spell. Castro and Leandro had briefly lost control of the midfield, and one felt Pumas had to weather the storm.

Instead Atlante manufactured a wonderful goal, and one which ultimately decided the tie. "El Hobbit" Bermúdez held the ball up fantastically well on the left, then slipped the ball on to Maldonado who swivelled and pushed it through to Bermúdez who had continued his run. The diminuitive midfielder held off González and shot low past the goalkeeper with a crisp finish.

Pumas were now chasing the game, and Barrera became more of a threat, as his cross just evaded Solari, and his shot was saved by Vilar after a one-two with "El Tano". The game became very open, but the lack of structure seemed not to suit Pumas, and they were unable to create a meaningful chance during a final 20 minutes in which Atlante fell back further and further, and eventually played down the clock. Any half ideas the university had dried up and Atlante came closer to scoring when a Zamora cross clipped the top of the bar. Pumas' substitutions did little and now they have to face the prospect of trying to earn their first points at the Azteca against América next weekend.

Goals
Sambueza (47 minutes) 1-0
Pereyra (pen)(59) 1-1
Bermúdez (65) 1-2

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Scocco (diving)
Atlante: yellow: Pereyra (diving), Zamora (lunge on Castro), Toledo (block on Castro), Ovalle (time-wasting at throw-in)

Player Ratings
Patiño 7 - good solid performance and a couple of excellent saves
Espinoza 5 - the least assured of the defenders and no danger going forward
González 6 - sound and seemed to know where he was this week (left hand side of defence)
Verón 8 - excellent, calm and distributed well.
Castro 8 - all energy, especially in the first half and involved all over the field
Leandro 7 - did reasonably well but too often sat too deep
Barrera 6 - looks rusty but is starting to get into his stride
Sambueza 6 - as with Barrera, we need to see more from him
Solari 6 - a few nice touches but needs to rediscover the knack of shaking off his marker
Scocco 6 - little opportunity to show what he can do - he needs to look for the ball more.
Iñiguez, Gerardo Espinoza, Bonells - not on for long. All three however had time to show poor ball skills before the end.

Elsewhere in Mexico
None of the big teams had a good weekend. Chivas managed a 1-1 draw with Tecos, with Omar Bravo missing a penalty. Atlas compounded Veracruz's woes and deepened their relegation worries with a 3-0 victory. Pachuca, Cruz Azul and América all lost away from home by the odd goal, while San Luis and Necaxa drew 1-1. Brazilian Itamar Baptista was the star in Jaguares' victory over América scoring the winner on his debut.

Next Up
Is it or is it not a "Clásico"? Whatever it is, it is a big game next week away to América at 4 o'clock on Sunday.