MONTERREY, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 29: Jorge Isaac Rojas referee talks to players during the 8th round match between Tigres UANL and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Pumas vs Club América: Both sides are in desperate need of a win
Pumas and America are facing once again in the Liga MX. In an oddly day, both teams will try to go back to a winning streak this Friday Night.
As mentioned, both teams will enter this game on a losing streak. In one hand, we have Pumas UNAM; the felines, who have lost two games in a row. First, they lost their unbeaten record with a last-minute goal (a blunder mistake by goalkeeper Saldivar) against Monarcas.
Then they were totally humiliated against Tigres where they suffered a 3-0 beatdown with forward André Pierre Gignac scoring all three goals.
Now, Pumas have lost the first place and falled all the way to fifth. No doubt, Pumas have to win this game if they want to stay in the first eight.
In the other hand, we have America, in second place, tying in points with Cruz Azul at the top but with a worse goal differential.
As always, this team is playing for a chance to take the lead in the championship, but in the last game they were completely outplayed.
It is hard to criticize a team that stands in second place, especially when it was one of the finalists of the last season and even more when the other finalist and defending champion is dead last.
However, America hasn’t played at their best, loosing against Juarez and now, being humiliated by Necaxa 0-3 in their last game. This match against Pumas will show if they are really a team to fear in this tournament.
There is no mistake, América knows how to beat Pumas. The Aguilas have won five out of the last ten matches these teams played each other. As for Pumas, they’ve only beaten América once and tied 4 more. It’s easy to say that history is in the Águilas favour.
For this game, both teams will have to make some moves in their starting 11. First América, the team faced two red cards versus Necaxa, their defensive leader Bruno Valdes, and their young midfielder reinforcement Santiago Cáceres.
These suspensions will force Miguel Herrera to change all his scheme, fortunately for him, Roger Martinez seems ready to return after an injury.
“We will see in the training tomorrow to see if (Roger Martinez is) in rhythm to start and if he’s then he will start and if he’s not , then he’ll be on the bench as one of the options” – Miguel Herrera (quote via TUDN)
As for Pumas goes, they too faced a red card in last game. This was for Luis Fernando Quintana Minutes before the end of the first half. The defender has been the undisputed first team for the last couple of years in this team, so his suspension will leave Pumas defensive side vulnerable, this is where Nicolas Freire will have to show up and prove Pumas right in their signing.
What is your score prediction for this match?
