Matchday 3: Perfect Pumas host wounded Tigres
After a dismal Clausura 2019, the Pumas have gotten off to a good start this season. But now the Tigres come calling.
The Pumas find themselves near the top of the Liga MX standings, because they have beaten the teams they are supposed to. And that is a big change from last season when UNAM finished in 15th place.
After defeating newly promoted Atletico San Luis in an easy 2-0 road win, the Pumas had no problem manhandling Necaxa 2-0 at home. The two wins from two games has the Pumas in second place right behind Santos on goal differential.
Staying at the top will be a challenge as this weekend’s schedule finds them hosting the defending champion Tigres at home on Sunday afternoon. So far, new coach Michel Gonzalez has given a boost to UNAM fans and he’ll be looking to guide his team to what many would consider an upset win.
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Many questions linger around the Tigres who are expected to be a dominant team once again, but they were listless last week against the Chivas. After an easy 4-2 win over Morelia in the season-opener, many observers likely though “Same old Tigres.” But they fell back to earth with a thud in a remarkable loss to an unsteady Chivas team. French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is still searching for the goal that would make him the Tigres all-time leading scorer and we can look for him to be lurking in front of the Pumas’ net throughout the match.
Prediction
After coming from a loss against Chivas I could see clearly that Tigres could upset Pumas at home. Coach Ricardo Ferretti is critical of his players and I am sure that no more losses could come their way because with the power team they have had in each tournament they surely need to out perform.