Game 4: Pumas 2 - 1 Monterrey

Video here.

Pumas finally broke their duck for the tournament with a last-gasp winner to edge out Monterrey in the Ciudad Universitaria. It was another unconvincing performance but nonetheless an improvement on the first three games, and given the nature of the Mexican First Division sees them only 4 points behind second in the overall classification, despite being in last place. Monterrey and La Volpe's woes meanwhile were not alleviated as they have still to win in the tournament and are also on 3 points.

It was a predictable start from the university, as they controlled the possession but yet again failed to create any real danger. The ball was often played around nicely but Barrera and Sambueza were unable to get to the by-line or play in any dangerous crosses. Solari's lack of movement left little space for Scocco to invent something.

Monterrey were uninspiring despite their bright orange shirts with glossy white diagonal stripes. Curiously the goalkeeper Christian Martínez was wearing the regular Monterrey shirt. This is the first time I can remember this happening, since the away kit is used in the event of a clash of colours, and therefore is not allowed for the 'keeper either.

Then suddenly out of nowhere Pumas had a goal. Martínez rolled the ball out to Solano at right back, but pressured by Sambueza he gave the ball away and the Argentinian's inside ball found Scocco who rounded the keeper to finish left-footed. The score appeared to give the team a lift and there was more movement for the next fifteen minutes or so, and Castro nearly made it 2-0 as he rattled the underside of the bar from a free kick.

But as has happened so often this season a lack of focus at the back, and it has to be said a nice break down the left by Robert De Pinho, had the scores level on 36 minutes. Espinoza found himself too far upfield. González had to come across to cover but could not cope with De Pinho's pace as he charged into the left-side of the area and laid the ball on a plate for Suazo to sidefoot home.

Pumas were stunned and Monterrey had a good little spell with Suazo going close again from a pass by Pérez. Nevertheless the teams went in level, with the tv vote suggesting equal numbers of people thought that Pumas and Monterrey were about to claim their first win of the campaign.

The second half was very even but as before Pumas had more possesion but were unable to break through. Tuca withdrew Sambueza for Iñiguez and Barrera moved over to the left. There was immediately more vitality down the right as Ismael started to drag the Monterrey defence out of shape. Scocco got in a shot from the edge of the area that was saved by Martínez while a Pérez free header was comfortably taken by Bernal.

It looked very much as if the game was heading for a draw, although Monterrey were pushing forward a little more in search of the win. This, however, proved to be their undoing on 88 minutes as a quick break from Chiapas (who had replaced Espinoza) found Scocco. He drove towards the retreating defence, skipped round a defender, then slid the ball right to Iñiguez who drove into the bottom left corner.

It was clearly a relief to the players to finally get a win, and there will, I am sure, be a boost to their confidence. But there are still areas of worry. Solari is too stationary and there is often little option for the through ball. Scocco in particular could do with having more space. Leandro is playing too deep as he tends to do when the team is not playing well. He and Castro need to alternate attack and defence. The full backs can drift too far upfield; it is fine to overlap or support the attack but both Espinoza and Velarde need to show more urgency about getting back. Similarly Barrera and Sambueza need to work harder to cover them. Pumas have been exposed down the flanks several times already this season.

Still, with a midweek game this week Pumas have the chance to build on their first win and start to move up the table as they take on Puebla.

Goals
Scocco (22 minutes) 1-0
Suazo (36) 1-1
Iñiguez (88) 2-1

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Scocco (diving in the box)
Monterrey: none

Player Ratings
Bernal 7 - Unruffled, no real work to do and had no chance for the goal
Espinoza 5 - Worked hard to get forward in attack but too often caught out of position
Velarde 5 - Similar to Espinoza but didn't look so tired this week despite playing a friendly for the u23s v Atlante this week
González 5 - caught out for pace on the goal, but his understanding with Verón is improving
Verón 6 - Steady and made a couple of telling interceptions
Leandro 5 - Very quiet for him
Castro 6 - Got more involved and was unlucky not to score with the free kick
Scocco 7 - Scored one and created one. A shame he is not given more space
Barrera 5 - A better showing but still a little sluggish. Needs to get to the by-line more often.
Sambueza 5 - Marked well by "Chícharo" but he needs to get more crosses in.
Solari 5 - Solid coming back to receive the ball but too static when the team is moving forward.
Iñiguez 7 - Provided a spark down the right when he came on and finished well for the winner.
Chiapas 6 - Definitely looks the part, maybe Barrera should come off the bench and we could start with Chiapas
G. Espinoza 5 - Did nothing wrong but neither did he impress

Tuca 6 - Good substitution bringing on Iñiguez as early as he did. Has still to get the team playing with any dynamism though.

Elsewhere in Mexico
Two games stood out this weekend. Firstly Atlas were edged out 2-0 by Chivas in the Guadalajara derby ("clásico tapatío") despite being the better team for most of the match. In front of a capacity crowd in the Jalisco two Omar Bravo goals, one right at the end, sent Chivas clear at the top of the general table and group 3.

At the other end of the table two of the teams battling it out to avoid relegation played a heated match in Monterrey. Veracruz finally got a win 3-0 against Tigres but there was some unpleasant half time words between "El Piojo" Herrera and "El Tolo" Gallego (who had been managers for Monterrey and Toluca in a hotly disputed recent final). Then after the break there were 3 sendings off, two of them ex-Pumas (Sancho and Victorino) and just time for "El Pony" Ruiz to come off the bench for Veracruz and celebrate making his 500th appearance in Mexico by creating the 3rd goal.

América continue to play poorly but Cabañas again helped them out with a brace in a 2-1 win at Tecos. Puebla got their first win in Chiapas (1-0) while San Luis beat Toluca 2-0. Atlante won 2-0 at home to a poor Morelia team, Necaxa beat Cruz Azul 2-0, with Oscar Pérez dropped for the first time in two years, while Santos beat Pachuca 2-1 in Torreón.

Toluca head group 1 from Puebla, Atlante and América share the top of group 2, while Chivas have a 4-point cushion over Necaxa in group 3.

Next Up
A trip to the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla on Wednesday evening.