Just in case that post-Olympics depression was sinking in, Liga MX laid down a crazy weekend to remind fans of the league and casual observers alike just how much fun can be had.
Let's take a look at what to make of this weekend's offensive explosion and think bout a few other lessons we learned from Round 6 of the Liga MX Apertura.
THE GOALS ARE BACK
There always seems to be something to worry about at the start of a new season. If it's not foreign players taking over the league or talent not developing, it's fans not going to the stadium or, this year, a lack of goals. Why aren't teams scoring? Were the defenses that much improved? Had the league let too much attacking talent get away? Well, worry no more. The high-scoring ways of Liga MX are back.
Just take a look at the numbers. The only zero on the board this weekend was the number of teams that didn't score. Every club had at least one goal, and the league's teams combined for 40 goals for an average of more than four goals per match.
There were goals by young, domestic-raised forwards, like Chivas' Angel Zaldivar scoring a double against Atlas. There were goals scored by veteran foreign players, like Matias Britos' hat trick. Old reliable players like Mauro Boselli of Leon and Luis "Quick" Mendoza of Chiapas were back on the board, as were new faces like Cruz Azul's Jonathan Cristaldo and Jonathan Rodriguez. Yes, my friends, the goal drought is over. Liga MX's attacking ways are back. Long live the goal scorers.
MONTERREY HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS
Monterrey manager Antonio Mohamed has seen better weeks, and we're not even talking about the weeks that saw him win Liga MX titles with Tijuana and Club America. You could pretty much pick out any two-game stretch in Mohamed's time in Mexico and it probably would be better than the one he just went through.
After Monterrey suffered just the fifth group-stage defeat on Mexican soil in the CONCACAF Champions League by a Liga MX team, it needed a statement early in a road match against Pumas to get things going back in the right direction. Instead, Mohamed's men were 4-0 down after 32 minutes, with Matias Britos already netting a hat trick. Monterrey found consecutive goals but conceded again before a stoppage-time consolation in a 5-3 defeat.
There are real issues on the back line, there's no doubt about that. Cesar Montes is impressive for his age but he and Ivan Piris don't have each others' tendencies down yet after Montes' time with Mexico's Olympic team. But despite a late flurry, similar to the one Monterrey attempted midweek against Arabe Unido, the Rayados attack also isn't linking up.
This, perhaps, is more concerning for Mohamed. His South American trident of Rogelio Funes Mori, Edwin Cardona and Dorlan Pabon spurred on the team to a club record for points in the Clausura. Keeping that group together during the summer transfer window looked like a big coup. Maybe the team also is struggling with chemistry after Cardona's long Copa America Centenario run and Pabon's time at the Olympics. But while the defense is the obvious concern, it also needs some help from the stars up front.
ATLAS COULD MAKE PLAYOFF PUSH
As we discussed prior to the Clasico Tapatio, Atlas' recent history hasn't been decorated. But this tournament, in the club's 100th year of existence, Los Zorros are suddenly showing signs of life. In a rainy Estadio Chivas, Atlas managed a 2-2 draw with its Guadalajara rival. Although Jorge "Profe" Cruz's men couldn't find all three points, there was plenty that points to Atlas being able to contend for one of the league's eight playoff spots.
Atlas scored just 18 goals last tournament, with Colombian forward Jefferson Duque's five goals leading the team. Forward Martin Barragan's goal against Chivas made it three on the campaign already, and he's getting help as well. The back line also seems to have improved with the departure of Walter Kannemann, and having Jaine Barreiro and Leiton Jimenez slot in next to Rafa Marquez. Atlas is not going to end up in the top half of the table, but it may be able to maintain its spot in eighth place, where it currently sits. That would be progress after a couple campaigns without postseason action.
TIGRES BACK LINE STILL SPRY
Manager Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti has been around Mexican soccer longer than most of his players have been alive, and while he certainly knows how to lead a team — and organize a defense — his club's slide at the end of last tournament had some fans in Monterrey hoping for a change. But after a thrilling 4-2 win over Pachuca, they're no doubt happy Ferretti stuck around. Andre-Pierre Gignac and Ismael Sosa both scored twice in the win, allaying fears after several scoreless matches led off the season. And the aging back line, though beaten early by Hirving Lozano, eventually settled into a rhythm.
The two goals allowed Saturday were the first two Ferretti's side has let in this season, and the four-man group of Israel Jimenez on the left, Hugo Ayala and Juninho in the middle, and Jorge Torres Nilo on the left, is a huge reason the team is still undefeated. At 27, Jimenez is the youngest of the bunch, but with Torres Nilo back from the Olympics and the center back pairing showing well, all four look like they're at their best. Ferretti loves to have his team controlling possession, and it can't do that without a back line that works well together. This unit is back to the form that helped Tigres win the title last Apertura.
CLASICO THERE FOR THE TAKING
A week after hosting cross-town rival Atlas, Chivas now travel to the capital to meet Club America in the Clasico of Clasicos, the Clasico Nacional in the next round. America should be the favorite, as its hosting in the Estadio Azteca and sits fourth in the table. But not only did America struggle in a 2-2 draw Sunday night against Puebla, it also saw Rubens Sambueza get sent off in the game, triggering an automatic suspension for the Clasico.
Sambueza, a left-footed playmaker, is the heart and soul of an America attack that has been wasteful with chances. For the second week running, Darwin Quintero put opportunities to win the game right at the opposing keeper as Las Aguilas settled for draws against inferior opposition.
Chivas' attack hasn't been a dynamo either, but Angel Zaldivar's two goals against Atlas will have the young forward's confidence at a high — the kind of high that might carry over into another big contest. Without Sambueza, the Clasico Nacional is hanging in the balance, there for the taking by whichever side can shift its attack into gear.
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