Game 13: Pumas 2 - 3 San Luis
Video here.You tube highlights
Pumas old boy Braulio Luna (picture) was their torturer in CU on Sunday as a well-organised Potosino side comfortably overcame the Pedregal team. Braulio, who began his career with a four-year stint at the university club, scored twice, the second one a possible goal of the season candidate, and rattled the bar with a 25-yard free-kick.
Pumas now find themselves in a difficult position, 4th place in Group 1 and with a lot of chasing to do to catch Toluca, Pachuca and Jaguares. San Luis sneak to within one point of Chivas at the top of Group three.
Tuca again made a surprising change to the starting line-up, with Carlos Humberto González starting at defensive midfield with Gerardo Espinoza absent. Injuries worries to Castro and Leandro proved unfounded as both were able to start. Palencia retained his place ahead of Scocco.
From the start San Luis dominated possession and looked far more dynamic in attack. Tressor Moreno and Mario Pérez were immediately a nuisance down the flanks and Alfredo Moreno seemed to be getting the better of Verón. Nevertheless Pumas had the first chance when Barrera fed to Palencia who crossed and Solari looked like he couldn't miss but failed to stick out a foot.
However it was predictable that San Luis should score first and Velarde, who had a good game going forward but was fallible in defense, lost the ball on the left. Coudet pressed forward to the by-line past Verón and put in a floating cross which Braulio Luna headed home beautifully, although Castro should have put him under more pressure.
Despite San Luis dominating, Pumas were able to strike back almost immediately when an excellent long ball from halfway by Barrera found Solari on the edge of the area, and he hit home first time from 20 yards for the equaliser. However this did not deter the "Gladiators" who continued to dominate the game, and Alfredo Moreno had a couple of chances, one which just went wide after a good turn shook off Palacios, and one forcing an excellent save out of Bernal. Luna also went close from a free kick when he hit the underside of the bar with Bernal beaten, but the rebound was easily cleared.
At half time Tuca tried to up the tempo by bringing Castro into midfield and putting Fernando Espinoza at fullback. In a sense it worked as Pumas had their best spell of the match to that point, but on 58 minutes they were behind. Tressor Moreno played a corner direct to Luna who was standing deep about 30 yards out, and he hit it superbly first time on the volley, rocketing it past a helpless Bernal.
Iñiguez and Scocco replaced Barrera and Sambueza but made little impression, although Pumas did start to create the odd chance, Palacios going close first with his foot and then with his head from corners, both nicely saved by veteran goalkeeper Adrian Martínez. However Pumas should have had a penalty when "Pikolín" headed towards goal and was caught in the face by the goalkeeper's fist with the ball gone. Amazingly no comment was made by anyone but then goalkeepers are protected far too much in Mexican football.
In the end San Luis were able to reimpose their superiority with a fine individual goal from Tressor Moreno. Receiving the ball deep in the box he deceived both Verón and Palacios with a delicate flick on then rounded Bernal for San Luis's third. From then on there was no sense that Pumas could get back into the game, but deep into injury time a nice through ball by Solari found Scocco surging forward in the box, and when he was brought down it was a clear penalty. Scocco himself rifled the ball home before initiating a pointless argument with Martinez who would not give the ball back. Since the San Luis goalkeeper had already been booked for time-wasting he was riding his luck, but he stayed on the field.
Pumas have just two points from their last 12 and are in serious danger of not qualifying for the "Fiesta grande". I am not convinced that leaving out Scocco is the answer and constantly switching Castro from right back to midfield and back is unsettling the midfield too. Barrera and Scocco in my view are the two players who pose the threat of surprise for Pumas and they must play. Sambueza is unfortunately going through a bad patch and maybe would be better coming on later in the game against a tiring defense. A reaction is needed in the Estadio Azul next week!
Pumas now find themselves in a difficult position, 4th place in Group 1 and with a lot of chasing to do to catch Toluca, Pachuca and Jaguares. San Luis sneak to within one point of Chivas at the top of Group three.
Tuca again made a surprising change to the starting line-up, with Carlos Humberto González starting at defensive midfield with Gerardo Espinoza absent. Injuries worries to Castro and Leandro proved unfounded as both were able to start. Palencia retained his place ahead of Scocco.
From the start San Luis dominated possession and looked far more dynamic in attack. Tressor Moreno and Mario Pérez were immediately a nuisance down the flanks and Alfredo Moreno seemed to be getting the better of Verón. Nevertheless Pumas had the first chance when Barrera fed to Palencia who crossed and Solari looked like he couldn't miss but failed to stick out a foot.
However it was predictable that San Luis should score first and Velarde, who had a good game going forward but was fallible in defense, lost the ball on the left. Coudet pressed forward to the by-line past Verón and put in a floating cross which Braulio Luna headed home beautifully, although Castro should have put him under more pressure.
Despite San Luis dominating, Pumas were able to strike back almost immediately when an excellent long ball from halfway by Barrera found Solari on the edge of the area, and he hit home first time from 20 yards for the equaliser. However this did not deter the "Gladiators" who continued to dominate the game, and Alfredo Moreno had a couple of chances, one which just went wide after a good turn shook off Palacios, and one forcing an excellent save out of Bernal. Luna also went close from a free kick when he hit the underside of the bar with Bernal beaten, but the rebound was easily cleared.
At half time Tuca tried to up the tempo by bringing Castro into midfield and putting Fernando Espinoza at fullback. In a sense it worked as Pumas had their best spell of the match to that point, but on 58 minutes they were behind. Tressor Moreno played a corner direct to Luna who was standing deep about 30 yards out, and he hit it superbly first time on the volley, rocketing it past a helpless Bernal.
Iñiguez and Scocco replaced Barrera and Sambueza but made little impression, although Pumas did start to create the odd chance, Palacios going close first with his foot and then with his head from corners, both nicely saved by veteran goalkeeper Adrian Martínez. However Pumas should have had a penalty when "Pikolín" headed towards goal and was caught in the face by the goalkeeper's fist with the ball gone. Amazingly no comment was made by anyone but then goalkeepers are protected far too much in Mexican football.
In the end San Luis were able to reimpose their superiority with a fine individual goal from Tressor Moreno. Receiving the ball deep in the box he deceived both Verón and Palacios with a delicate flick on then rounded Bernal for San Luis's third. From then on there was no sense that Pumas could get back into the game, but deep into injury time a nice through ball by Solari found Scocco surging forward in the box, and when he was brought down it was a clear penalty. Scocco himself rifled the ball home before initiating a pointless argument with Martinez who would not give the ball back. Since the San Luis goalkeeper had already been booked for time-wasting he was riding his luck, but he stayed on the field.
Pumas have just two points from their last 12 and are in serious danger of not qualifying for the "Fiesta grande". I am not convinced that leaving out Scocco is the answer and constantly switching Castro from right back to midfield and back is unsettling the midfield too. Barrera and Scocco in my view are the two players who pose the threat of surprise for Pumas and they must play. Sambueza is unfortunately going through a bad patch and maybe would be better coming on later in the game against a tiring defense. A reaction is needed in the Estadio Azul next week!
Goals
Braulio Luna (15 minutes) 0-1
Esteban Solari (20) 1-1
Braulio Luna (58) 1-2
Tressor Moreno (84) 1-3
Ignacio Scocco (93)(pen) 2-3
Cards
Pumas: yellow: Verón (foul)
San Luis: yellow: Moreno (late challenge), Martinez (time-wasting), Guerrero (foul)
Player Ratings
Bernal 8 : Pumas man of the match, some excellent saves
Velarde 6 : good going forward, particularly when Sambueza went off, suspect at the back
Castro 5 : looking more and more confused at always being moved around
Verón 5 : outplayed by Alfredo Moreno
Palacios 6 : caused danger in both penalty areas
Leandro 5 : some nice touches but was outplayed for control of the middle
Barrera 6 : some nice touches and a superb pass for the first goal
Sambueza 5 : too quiet
Solari 6 : took his goal well but should have had at least one more
Palencia 6 : works hard but very predictable and never really a threat on goal
F. Espinoza 6: good attitude but passes square too much
Scocco 6 : he must play, got into nice positions
Iñiguez 5 : provided nothing that Barrera hadn't done better
Tuca 5 : needs to settle on a team, decide and stick to a defensive midfielder (of the players available it should be Castro) and ditch the predictable Palencia-Solari partnership up front.
Elsewhere in Mexico
América were able to console themselves for their terrible league form with a Libertadores win 4-3 over River Plate in the Azteca, but this clearly did not help them against Pachuca in the league as they lost 3-1 at home, and now have picked up only one point from the last 27. Both teams fielded weakened sides because of international competitions, as Pachuca beat DC United 2-0 on Tuesday in the CONCACAF cup. Tigres lost at Tecos 2-1 despite a fantastic individual goal from Esquivel, while Nexaca overcame Atlas 1-0 in the Jalisco with a Fabiano Pereira goal. Jaguares's fine run came to an end as they lost 2-1 to Cruz Azul in Tuxtla, Edgar Andrade grabbing the winner for the "cementeros".
Humberto Suazo was in fine form for Monterrey, grabbing four as the "Rayos" crushed Veracruz 7-2, Jared Borgetti also getting two for the home side. Morelia made it five games without a goal in their 0-0 draw against Ludueña-less Santos, although they were unlucky not to end their drought as a Landín goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside. Meanwhile a Sergio Santana header pinched a 1-1 draw for Chivas in Cancún against Atlante. Puebla complicated matters further in their relegation struggle, losing at home 2-1 to Toluca.
Toluca, Jaguares and Pachuca head Group one with 22,21 and 20 points respectively. Santos are four points clear of Monterrey in Group two, with Atlas just behind. Chivas still lead Group 3 on 26 points, but San Luis have closed up with 25, and Cruz Azul on 22.
After his four goals against Veracruz, Humberto Suazo leads the goalscoring table with 10, while in the relegation battle it is looking more and more like a scrap between Veracruz (1.0612 points per game) and Puebla (1.0333), although Tigres (1.1327) are not clear of trouble yet.
Next Up
A trip up Insurgentes to meet Cruz Azul. Also look out for Atlas v Boca Juniors on Tuesday, Chivas v Santos (Brazil) on Wednesday, and América travel to Chivas for the clásico next Saturday.
Humberto Suazo was in fine form for Monterrey, grabbing four as the "Rayos" crushed Veracruz 7-2, Jared Borgetti also getting two for the home side. Morelia made it five games without a goal in their 0-0 draw against Ludueña-less Santos, although they were unlucky not to end their drought as a Landín goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside. Meanwhile a Sergio Santana header pinched a 1-1 draw for Chivas in Cancún against Atlante. Puebla complicated matters further in their relegation struggle, losing at home 2-1 to Toluca.
Toluca, Jaguares and Pachuca head Group one with 22,21 and 20 points respectively. Santos are four points clear of Monterrey in Group two, with Atlas just behind. Chivas still lead Group 3 on 26 points, but San Luis have closed up with 25, and Cruz Azul on 22.
After his four goals against Veracruz, Humberto Suazo leads the goalscoring table with 10, while in the relegation battle it is looking more and more like a scrap between Veracruz (1.0612 points per game) and Puebla (1.0333), although Tigres (1.1327) are not clear of trouble yet.
Next Up
A trip up Insurgentes to meet Cruz Azul. Also look out for Atlas v Boca Juniors on Tuesday, Chivas v Santos (Brazil) on Wednesday, and América travel to Chivas for the clásico next Saturday.
posted by John Kelly @ 12:46 pm
4 comments
4 Comments:
How old is Braulio Luna now? Must be an age, surely? Three real quality goals in this game, but Pumas looked poor, really.
I have to say here and now that all the time I was writing this blog I gave Paco a lot of grief – it seems he was carrying an injury all that time – he certainly seems a lot more sparky and positive now. I wish he would start with Scocco – that early chance that Paco made for Solari is an unforgivable miss.
What’s the score with Velarde? How can a young man break into the team so confident and able – really took it in his stride, yet his development has simply not occurred? Is there a feeling in Pumas (and maybe Mexico generally) that once a young man is a first team regular the job is done, and no need to progress?
Tricky, I am so glad you picked out the punch to Pikolin – it was at best a clumsy and late challenge. The keeper was never even close to the ball, and really had no chance of getting it, yet he still went in hard – an outfield player making such a bad tackle would certainly have been sent off in Mexico? I was quite shocked – even Pikolin thought nothing of it …. Surely keepers can’t simply punch people?
Their third was indeed a fine goal, and it is hard to see if Pikolin and Veron did much wrong. I agree so much about Nacho & Barrera being the sort of players that can change things – but I would still include Sambueza in that, I like him, and he has a much more mature professional head on his shoulders than young Barrera which adds to his game. He is what BlackComyn might call “canny”. But with regard to the left, whats the news with Morales?
I agree 100% that Castro should be in def mid duties, its where he makes the biggest impact plus we get more out of Leandro with him there. Although I thought Castro was poor today.
Thanks, real good report, and are Monterrey now really THAT good?
Braulio Luna is 33 - he started with Pumas in 1994, and I think he played in the 98 and 02 world cups but don't quote me on that.
Pumas were poor. But as you say Paco has come back with more movement and more hunger. Solari remains a donkey, but just when you least expect it he comes up with a goal like the first one on Sunday.
Velarde, like Barrera, seems to be undergoing a hangover from the dreadful Under-23 experience. I think he is starting to regain some form, but as many other full-backs (remember how Jaime Lozano used to play) he is often absent when needed at the back. I feel he has hit a plateau, but will get better with more experience. I think the feeling in Mexico is that full-backs are midfielders first and defenders second. Pineda, Chiapas, Lozano, Parejita all played at fullback!
Castro frankly is being mucked about. He needs to settle into one role (preferably contención) and be left to play.
I have been having a look again at Hugo's average record with the national team. To be fair he must have used about 40 players. If he was getting a look at them then why was he fired for results? And if he was supposed to get results straight away why was he chopping and changing the team? Or perhaps he was fired because of the Under-23s, in which case why was he kept in charge until after the Ghana game? The workings of the Mexican Federation never cease to astound me.
Good to see Marioni sticking two fingers up (well one - he is not British) at Boca, with 2 in the 3-1 win by Atlas. Not a great fan of Marioni but Boca, and particularly Palermo, really annoy me.
Thanks for all that - yes Solari's best goals tend to come after an awful miss - a bit like the strikers version of Peter Bonetti...
Certainly in Brasil full-backs are seen as wholly different, and are not annouced as "defenders" nor "midfielders" but in their own category. Velarde, however, when in position is an excellent defensive full-back. Going forward he can take the ball out well, and has good linking play, but his crossing and long shots both lack - this type of full-back ought to have a few long shot goals under his belt, I don't think he has ever scored, although I remember him hitting the post on one of the very rare occasions he goes for it...
Yes indeed, Hugo's dismissal has been badly handled, and seems to have no strong vision behind it. Not unlike his succesor at Pumas, Miguel España - the directors forced him to use more Cantera players, then sacked him because of results.
Well, as you know, Marioni is best remembered by me for his second disastrous spell at Pumas, but he was devasting for us first time round, to be fair. A confidence player, and Atlas are through now, I think. I love seeing Boca lose so much.
Curiously America have a very good chance to qualify (see their 4-3 ding-dong headed-goalsfest with River Plate? 10 crazy minutes!), meanwhile Chivas are in trouble - the exact opposite of the league!
Ironically in view of your (completely well-founded) comments on Velarde DT, he scored on his debut for Pumas, coming on as a sub.
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