On paper, Morelia striker Rafael Marquez Lugo looks impressive: 9 goals, 3 assists, a 60% shot on goal rate, and scoring goals in 7 of 14 games.
By: C.I. Sanchez
On the field, he seems all the more dangerous with his almost uncanny ability to quickly penetrate the box and ultimately hit the back of the net. Indeed, a prime example of his impressive form was his goal against Club America—a nice strike that beat Mexico’s top goalkeeper Memo Ochoa in the first minute of match!
Marquez Lugo has put on a brilliant display that has propelled the Monarcas to an impressive 8-3-3 record (currently second overall and second in group 3). After tumultuous to average seasons with 7 different clubs in the Primera Division, the Clausura 2011 just might be Marquez Lugo’s best season that can be topped off with a championship for the Monarcas.
Charging up the rankings, it is hard to imagine that things were not always so optimistic for the Monarcas or Marquez Lugo. After all, the season started with a shellacking: a 0-5 loss against Atlas.
Ironically, Marquez Lugo did not start. Manager Tomas Boy made sure to include the forward for the remaining games; it has paid dividends, as he scored goals in 6 victories and 1 draw. The Monarcas are averaging 2 goals a match and have the most goals in the league with 28.
It is a remarkable turnaround from the Apertura 2010, which ended unpleasantly for the club. Morelia did not make the final phase, having finished 4th in its group with a 5-6-6 record. A championship trophy for the Clausura 2011 season could be a sweet end for a sluggish start for both club and player.
Prior to the Apertura 2010, Marquez Lugo was not a Morelia player! He had been with Atlante but was loaned to the Monarcas after a bout with the Cancun club. Why would Atlante loan out a player who had previously scored 9 goals in a season, which for the Primera Division is rather respectable?
It is easy to blame management philosophies or internal squabbles, but if one looks at Marquez Lugo’s club history it is a list of jumping from club to club. He is not necessarily a prolific goal scorer; yet he surely is a player that any manager would (and should) want in his squad.
The striker has skills, but what he has lacked is a club that could nurture his talent. As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day—and neither are clubs nor players. That impatience is one of the faults of the Primera Division; as a matter of fact, one only has to look at the numerous managers fired and hired in between seasons!
Fortunately for Marquez Lugo, things are finally working out for him and he has hit a very nice form. With 3 more games left in the regular schedule, Marquez Lugo and Morelia will be patiently focusing on victories against Monterrey, U.A.N.L, and Puebla.
Meanwhile, management at Atlante will probably be wondering why Marquez Lugo was loaned to the Monarcas. After all, Atlante just might face Morelia in the final phase, and Marquez Lugo just might be enough firepower to propel Morelia past Atlante to the championship.
On the field, he seems all the more dangerous with his almost uncanny ability to quickly penetrate the box and ultimately hit the back of the net. Indeed, a prime example of his impressive form was his goal against Club America—a nice strike that beat Mexico’s top goalkeeper Memo Ochoa in the first minute of match!
Marquez Lugo has put on a brilliant display that has propelled the Monarcas to an impressive 8-3-3 record (currently second overall and second in group 3). After tumultuous to average seasons with 7 different clubs in the Primera Division, the Clausura 2011 just might be Marquez Lugo’s best season that can be topped off with a championship for the Monarcas.
Charging up the rankings, it is hard to imagine that things were not always so optimistic for the Monarcas or Marquez Lugo. After all, the season started with a shellacking: a 0-5 loss against Atlas.
Ironically, Marquez Lugo did not start. Manager Tomas Boy made sure to include the forward for the remaining games; it has paid dividends, as he scored goals in 6 victories and 1 draw. The Monarcas are averaging 2 goals a match and have the most goals in the league with 28.
It is a remarkable turnaround from the Apertura 2010, which ended unpleasantly for the club. Morelia did not make the final phase, having finished 4th in its group with a 5-6-6 record. A championship trophy for the Clausura 2011 season could be a sweet end for a sluggish start for both club and player.
Prior to the Apertura 2010, Marquez Lugo was not a Morelia player! He had been with Atlante but was loaned to the Monarcas after a bout with the Cancun club. Why would Atlante loan out a player who had previously scored 9 goals in a season, which for the Primera Division is rather respectable?
It is easy to blame management philosophies or internal squabbles, but if one looks at Marquez Lugo’s club history it is a list of jumping from club to club. He is not necessarily a prolific goal scorer; yet he surely is a player that any manager would (and should) want in his squad.
The striker has skills, but what he has lacked is a club that could nurture his talent. As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day—and neither are clubs nor players. That impatience is one of the faults of the Primera Division; as a matter of fact, one only has to look at the numerous managers fired and hired in between seasons!
Fortunately for Marquez Lugo, things are finally working out for him and he has hit a very nice form. With 3 more games left in the regular schedule, Marquez Lugo and Morelia will be patiently focusing on victories against Monterrey, U.A.N.L, and Puebla.
Meanwhile, management at Atlante will probably be wondering why Marquez Lugo was loaned to the Monarcas. After all, Atlante just might face Morelia in the final phase, and Marquez Lugo just might be enough firepower to propel Morelia past Atlante to the championship.
