Game 12: Tigres 2 - 0 Pumas

Video here.

In an even and very tactical encounter in Monterrey, Pumas registered their third game in a row without a win while Tigres eased their relegation worries. While the university dominated the game in terms of possession and territory, particularly during the first half, the old failings of being unable to be sufficiently direct and missing chances were again in evidence.

Tuca sprang a bit of a surprise with the starting line-up, leaving Scocco and Barrera on the bench and giving a start to Palencia for the first time this year, while "el Cachas" Iñiguez also got a start on the right wing. Ex-Pumas Francisco "Kikín" Fonseca and Antonio Sancho were left on the bench for Tigres.

The first half was a slow tactical battle, with Pumas coming out slightly on top. It was a period of little goalmouth action, but Pumas had the first real chance when Palencia hit a scissors kick from a Leandro cross which rebounded onto the bar with Zermeño beaten.

Both teams tried to up the rhythm after half time, Scocco replacing Paco Palencia and Blas Pérez coming on for Saavedra. If anything it was the team from Nuevo Léon which benefited most from the changes, Chávez pulling a fine save out of Bernal from a header. Bernal also had to be alert to push away shots from Esquivel and a decent effort by Lobos from the edge of the box.

With Tigres now pushing forward there was a little more space behind and Iñiguez and Scocco looked menacing without managing to create a decent attempt on goal. Sancho came on to steady things for Tigres and immediately they were ahead. Pérez headed on nicely at the edge of the "D" and Gastón Fernández controlled beautifully on his chest before slipping the ball past Bernal. Pumas were guilty of rather shoddy organisation which allowed "La Gata" to score but it was nevertheless a well worked goal.

The team from the Pedregal worked hard to reply, but all they managed was to work Scocco through on goal, but the chance was palmed away by Zermeño. Almost immediately at the other end Verón, normally so sound, got into a terrible mess deep inside his own area, and was robbed by Pérez who slipped the ball under Bernal for the second.

Pumas could find no way back as Tigres sat back more, and the game stumbled to the end with the Monterrey team finishing quite comfortably. They have now maintained their 9 point advantage over Veracruz in the relegation battle, despite the "Tiburones" (sharks) 4-0 thrashing of hapless América. Pumas lose ground in group 2, and now have serious work on their hands to qualify with Pachuca, Toluca and Jaguares looking strong.

Goals
Gastón Fernández (70 minutes) 1-0
Blas Pérez (79) 2-0

Cards
Remarkably there weren't any. A very good refereeing job from the experienced Armando Archundia.

Player Ratings
Bernal 7 - some very good saves and not at fault for the goals
Espinoza 7 - worked very hard
Velarde 6 - good to have him back but failed to get the most out of Sambueza
Verón 5 - one of his worse games and bad blunder for the goal
Palacios 6 - solid at the back but his enthusiasm drags him out of position
Castro 6 - did nothing wrong before making way for Gerardo Espinoza
Leandro 7 - as always looked accomplished but needs to get forward more
Iñiguez 6 - had good moments
Sambueza 6 - too quiet for a man of his talent
Solari 5 - lacks pace so needs service inside the box
Palencia 6 - clearly has the desire but not sure he can cope with a whole game
Scocco 6 - looked dangerous but having a lean scoring spell
Gerardo Espinoza 5 - no surprise that Pumas looked poorer after he replaced Castro

Tuca 5 - ultimately he lost out in the tactical battle with Manuel Lapuente.

Elsewhere in Mexico
A very interesting week for Mexican football. Perhaps we should begin with the most recent and most surprising news...Hugo Sanchez has been sacked as Mexican manager. While his record with the Under 23 team in the Olympic qualifiers was average, and he never really got the best out of the attacking options available to him, his record with the full side was decent. With a generation of players that has started to have some success in Europe, and following an encouraging comeback at Craven Cottage in London against Ghana (they won 2-1 after falling behind to a Michael Essien goal), it is an unexpected decision from the Mexican Federation.

Pumas fans remember Hugo very well both as a player and the manager that took them to the double championship in 2004. Despite some limitations as a tactician (and this may have counted against him) he was an excellent motivator of players and an involved and passionate director of both club and country. Jesús Ramírez, director of the youth set-up, will fill in until a successor is appointed.

Meanwhile Guillermo Cañedo has quit as director (chairman) of América after a string of poor results has left them languishing at the foot of the general table. América lost 4-0 to lowly Veracruz with Claudio Graf grabbing a hatrick.

Mexican clubs had a poor week in the Copa Libertadores with Chivas putting in a sub-standard performance against Colombian side Deportivo Cucuta and losing 1-0, despite having most of the possession. In a tough group América will have to improve after their 1-0 defeat to San Martin, while Atlas did better getting a valuable point in Venezuela against Maracaibo. Their crucial fixture will be versus Boca Juniors in the Jalisco on 8th April.

In the Mexican league Itamar Batista's excellent run continued with two for Jaguares in their win in San Luis. Pachuca won 2-0 against 10-man Atlante while a weakened Cruz Azul team edged past Puebla by the same score. Morelia completed their fourth game without a goal losing 1-0 to Atlas, and Santos strolled past Tecos 4-0 with a brace from Fernando Arce.

In a tight game in the Bombonera Toluca and Monterrey shared the points 1-1, with a 75th minute own goal by Orozco equalising for the "diablos rojos" (red devils). Meanwhile an early goal by Quatrocchi for Necaxa settled the game against leaders Chivas 1-0, the Guadalajara team finding chances hard to come by as in midweek.

Group 1

Jaguares 21
Toluca 19
Pachuca 17
Pumas 15

Group 2
Santos 20
Atlas 16
Monterrey 14
Veracruz 13

Group 3
Chivas 25
San Luis 22
Cruz Azul 19
Necaxa 16

Next Up
Home to San Luis at the regulation time of 12.00 in CU.