Posted by Here are my three takeaways from the 2-2 draw between Toluca and Chivas at Toluca’s Estadio Nemesio Díez.
Talavera Expulsion Shows That Players Must Change Too
This match was refereed by César Arturo Ramos, who is considered by many to be Mexico’s finest. Ramos debuted in the Liga MX in 2012, and was the only Mexican referee to oversee matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, even a referee as esteemed as Ramos is not exempt from the controversy that surrounds refereeing in Mexico.
After Chivas right-back Josecarlos Van Rankin had a headed goal correctly ruled out for offside, Toluca goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera tried to quickly restart play. Ramos told Talavera to move the ball back, which provoked a heated response from the Mexican international keeper. After Ramos showed him a yellow card, Talavera continued to dialogue with the referee while he prepared to resume play. Before he could, however, Ramos showed him a straight red card.
After the match, Talavera defended himself in an interview, questioning why he was sent off for calling Ramos a “cabrón” (roughly the equivalent of “asshole” or “bastard”). Talavera pointed out that many other players, particularly Argentineans, often use more offensive insults when addressing referees. Nevertheless, Talavera still insulted the referee, who was within his right to send the player off. The quality of Mexican refereeing has been questionable for a while now. Although the standard of refereeing needs to improve, there must also be consequences for players who feel that insulting the referee is permissible.
Zaldívar and Pulido Form Promising Partnership
After they went down to Alexis Vega’s early strike, the chances of a Chivas comeback looked remote given their recent troubles in front of goal. The Goats were 16th in goals scored during the Clausura 2018, with 14 goals in 17 games. Furthermore, neither of Guadalajara’s two main forwards are known for their goal-scoring exploits. Academy graduate Ángel Zaldívar had 20 goals in 87 matches coming into the Toluca game. Alan Pulido, who arrived from Olympiakos for a Liga MX record $18 million before the Apertura 2016, had scored 20 times in 59 matches.
However, Zaldívar struck twice against Toluca to earn his team a draw in one of Liga MX’s toughest stadiums. Zaldívar’s first strike came in the 43rd minute, as he was on hand to tap in after left midfielder Gael Sandoval had hit the post with a spectacular curling effort. The goal was Zaldívar’s first strike in Liga MX play since round 6 of the Apertura 2017 against Santos. Chivas took the lead early on in the second half, as Zaldívar managed to get across his marker at the front post to direct a glancing header past Talavera.
Chivas should also take encouragement from the link play between Pulido and Zaldívar. An ankle injury meant that Zaldívar played only 270 minutes of the Clausura 2018. Yet, it seems that he has quickly regained an understanding with his strike partner. Pulido had a shout for a penalty in the 24th minute, after a sharp 1-2 with Zaldívar had given him space in the box. The away side went even closer ten minutes later. After receiving in midfield and playing forward to Zaldívar, Pulido continued his run. Zaldívar turned and took a few touches before dinking a delightful ball into Pulido’s path, but Pulido’s sliding shot was cleared off the line by right-back Rodrigo Salinas. If Zaldívar and Pulido can continue to rediscover their chemistry, Chivas should find the back of the net much more frequently than they did last season.
Toluca Over Reliant on Sambueza
Despite his lamentable involvement in the melee that saw Chivas midfielder Orbelín Pineda sent off in second half extra-time, Rubens Sambueza demonstrated in this match why he was recently selected as Liga MX’s player of the year for 2017-18. Playing as a floating number 10, Sambueza created numerous problems for Chivas early on, particularly when he drifted out to the left.
Working down the left flank, the former River Plate man set up Alexis Vega’s 4th minute strike. After carrying the ball across midfield uncontested, Sambueza slid a precise through ball in between Van Rankin and center-back Jair Pereira, allowing Vega to round Raul Guidño and finish into an empty net. Sambueza continued to torment the Chivas defense early on. An inventive chipped ball into the middle was just cleared by a stretching Carlos Salcido. Some slippery dribbling down the left provoked a foul from winger Isaac Brizuela, winning Toluca a dangerous free kick. Minutes later, a Sambueza no-look back-heel allowed forward Alexis Canelo to run at the Chivas back-line.
Nevertheless, Sambueza’s influence waned as the match progressed. The Argentinean wasn’t as involved as he had been early on, even as he drifted to the right in search of the ball. As a result, Toluca struggled to create clear-cut chances. Last season, the Red Devils benefitted from the presence of dual number 10’s, with Pablo Barrientos fielded alongside Sambueza. Barrientos and Sambueza were both in the top 10 in passes received during the Clausura 2018. However, with Barrientos out injured, opponents know that if they can stop Sambueza, they can stop Toluca. Choriceros coach Hernan Cristante will hope that Barrientos can return to the starting 11 as soon as possible.
Just for Kicks 