Posted by Here are my three takeaways from a pulsating encounter between Pumas and Necaxa at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, with home side Pumas coming out 5-3 winners.
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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article for The Short Pass about why people should watch the Liga MX. While I thought my arguments were concise and convincing, it would have been easier to just tell my readers to watch Pumas-Necaxa. In what was undoubtedly the most exciting match of the season so far, eight goals were scored, with six of those strikes coming in a wild second half. Furthermore, each team took 19 shots, reflecting the attacking setup of both teams.
Making a choice for goal of the season in the Liga MX is often a difficult task, given the number of quality strikes that are scored. However, a more arduous task would be choosing the best goal from this match. Victor Dávila’s first finish for Necaxa came after a beautiful floated through ball from Matías Fernández and a precise cutback from Brian Fernández. Later on, Matías powered a free kick into the top corner past Pumas keeper Alfredo Saldívar. For Pumas, left-back Alan Mendoza used all of his flexibility to wrap his left foot around an Alejandro Arribas knockdown and volley into the bottom corner. After a Felipe Mora flick had set him up, ex-Cruz Azul winger Martín Rodríguez showed the finishing ability that deserted him at the Estadio Azul, curling a precise shot from just outside the box in off the back post. Finally, Pumas right-back Alan Mozo cut inside visiting left-back Luis Gallegos, before nutmegging center back Ventura Alvarado and finishing over goalkeeper Hugo González. Each of these strikes was worthy of a highlight reel of the highest quality.
In addition to the quality of many of the goals, there were two instances in the second half of goals being scored one right after the other. First, Pumas striker Carlos González responded to the Matías Fernández free kick, benefitting from a horrible mix-up between Alvarado and Hugo González. After Alan Mozo’s mazy run put Pumas 4-2 up, Dávila brought one back for Necaxa almost instantaneously, after great play out wide from substitute Facundo Castro.
Typically, matches played at Pumas’ Estadio Olímpico Universitario are tepid affairs. The mid-day heat (the matches start at 12 noon in Mexico City), coupled with the altitude, mean that these games are often played at a leisurely pace. However, both teams maintained a high tempo to their play throughout the match. If the remaining matches in this Apertura can be even half as entertaining as what Pumas and Necaxa provided, this will be the best Liga MX season in recent memory.
Pumas Not Missing Nico Castillo
Last season, Pumas relied heavily on star forward Nico Castillo for goals. Castillo was responsible for 11 of the team’s 24 goals during the Clausura 2018. Furthermore, Pumas’ build-up play was based on attempts to find Castillo, either by playing into his feet or looking to release him behind opposing defenses. When Castillo was sold to Benfica this offseason, concerns developed regarding Pumas’ ability to replace his goal-scoring output. Judging from their offensive performance in the first two matches of this Apertura, Pumas have become stronger since Castillo’s sale.
In contrast to their over-reliance on Castillo, Pumas’ attack is more balanced this season. The seven goals Pumas have scored in the season’s first two matches have been authored by six different players. Pumas had only six different scorers all of last season. While new forwards Carlos González and Felipe Mora have contributed with goals and assists so far, Pumas are getting goals from all over the field. In the match against Necaxa, full-backs Mendoza and Mozo chipped in with a goal each.
It is unrealistic to expect Mendoza and Mozo to find the net on a regular basis as the season progresses. Therefore, Pumas should be more excited about Martín Rodríguez’s first goal for the club. Although he failed to perform consistently at Cruz Azul, Chilean international Rodríguez has the ability, alongside fellow winger Pablo Barrera, to not only supply Pumas’ forwards with ample service, but also score his fair share of goals.
Leaño Shows That Young Mexican Coaches Deserve More Chances
In recent seasons, there has been a worrying shortage of young Mexican head coaches in the Liga MX. This season, only four of the division’s 18 teams are led by Mexican coaches who are 45 or younger. The youngest of this group is Necaxa coach Marcelo Michel Leaño. At 31, Leaño is the youngest-ever head coach in the Liga MX.
After gaining experience in the second division with Venados, Coras Tepic and Zacatepec, Leaño was given a chance with Necaxa for this Apertura following the dismissal of Nacho Ambriz. Under Ambriz, Necaxa played a stodgy brand of soccer, sitting back in their own half and waiting for opportunities to break on the counter. While Necaxa are still dangerous on the counter under Leaño, the new coach has made the team far more effective in possession. Necaxa had 61% possession against Pumas, controlling much of the first half with quick combination play. If Necaxa can resolve the defensive issues displayed in this match, they will be a strong candidate for a Liguilla spot, which they failed to qualify for in the previous three seasons.
Although Leaño can be accused of tactical naiveté for his extremely attacking setup, he has clearly improved Necaxa in only a few months with the team. Leaño’s work with Necaxa should encourage other Liga MX owners to promote young Mexican coaches, particularly those who endorse attacking soccer.
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