Guadalajara has yet to lose; Morelia is at the bottom.
By: C.I. Sanchez
It is hard to imagine that a few months ago, Morelia finished the Clausura 2011 in second place in Group 3 with an impressive 31 points. Overall, the team only lost four out of 17 games. Moreover, its striker Rafa Marquez Lugo was a top co-goal scorer: 13 goals total. How times have changed.
Manager Tomas Boy must be very frightened with this nightmare start—a total of 3 points! Right? Perhaps not, considering the strength of the schedule. Take into account its opponents for the first four matches: Tijuana (ranked 13th), UNAM (1st), Monterrey (2nd), and Chivas (3rd).
The team was given a lucky break against Tijuana, but the defeats against Monterrey and UNAM were not exactly shellackings. With 5 more shots than Pumas, Morelia should have at least found an equalizer in the 0-1 defeat. The match against Monterrey last Saturday was shocking in that the team could not offer an attack; it lost 0-2.
However, therein lies the problem for Mr. Boy: lack of strikers, well specifically one…Marquez Lugo. If the Monarcas want to give Pumas, Monterrey and Chivas a fight then the top striker needs to return to the starting line-up. If not, it will be bouncing around the bottom of the table.
On the flipside, Chivas could be hitting its stride. Maybe that victory against a little team from Barcelona sparked an inner resurgence because the squad is looking quite hungry. Of course, the schedule has been much more favourable to Jose Luis Real’s players.
Chiapas (2-1) and Atlante (2-0) were not challenges. Last Saturday, it handled Pumas quite well in a 0-0 draw. If lead scorer Omar Arellano Riveron and midfielder Marco Fabian continue to improve then do not be surprised if any teams from Europe come knocking.
Fabian has looked very strong; his brace against Barcelona was magnificent. The team finished 8th in the Apertura 2011; surely it is time for Chivas to claim another trophy, and this team looks fresh and ready.
Chivas will be travelling to Morelia. Although the Monarcas have the home advantage, it will probably be a one sided event with Chivas returning to Guadalajara with yet another 3 points.
It is hard to imagine that a few months ago, Morelia finished the Clausura 2011 in second place in Group 3 with an impressive 31 points. Overall, the team only lost four out of 17 games. Moreover, its striker Rafa Marquez Lugo was a top co-goal scorer: 13 goals total. How times have changed.
Manager Tomas Boy must be very frightened with this nightmare start—a total of 3 points! Right? Perhaps not, considering the strength of the schedule. Take into account its opponents for the first four matches: Tijuana (ranked 13th), UNAM (1st), Monterrey (2nd), and Chivas (3rd).
The team was given a lucky break against Tijuana, but the defeats against Monterrey and UNAM were not exactly shellackings. With 5 more shots than Pumas, Morelia should have at least found an equalizer in the 0-1 defeat. The match against Monterrey last Saturday was shocking in that the team could not offer an attack; it lost 0-2.
However, therein lies the problem for Mr. Boy: lack of strikers, well specifically one…Marquez Lugo. If the Monarcas want to give Pumas, Monterrey and Chivas a fight then the top striker needs to return to the starting line-up. If not, it will be bouncing around the bottom of the table.
On the flipside, Chivas could be hitting its stride. Maybe that victory against a little team from Barcelona sparked an inner resurgence because the squad is looking quite hungry. Of course, the schedule has been much more favourable to Jose Luis Real’s players.
Chiapas (2-1) and Atlante (2-0) were not challenges. Last Saturday, it handled Pumas quite well in a 0-0 draw. If lead scorer Omar Arellano Riveron and midfielder Marco Fabian continue to improve then do not be surprised if any teams from Europe come knocking.
Fabian has looked very strong; his brace against Barcelona was magnificent. The team finished 8th in the Apertura 2011; surely it is time for Chivas to claim another trophy, and this team looks fresh and ready.
Chivas will be travelling to Morelia. Although the Monarcas have the home advantage, it will probably be a one sided event with Chivas returning to Guadalajara with yet another 3 points.
