Liga MX: 5 Things from Apertura 2018 Week 3

Three weeks through the Liga MX Apertura, we’re starting to notice some trends

Week 3 of Liga MX action gave us a lot to consider. We saw wide open end-to-end action in most of the matches. Some clubs are certainly more defensive or offensive-minded, but that doesn’t kill the action. As these clubs work into their comfort zones as a team, some clubs are showing signs of life, while others are going to struggle to keep up.

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Here are 5 observations I had from the week that was:

1. The game is played in the final third
One of the most fun things about Liga MX is simply the style of the league. Although the lack of tactical diversity leaves much to be desired, the open midfield can be extremely exciting. Most teams appear to be playing a high back line, leaving acres of space behind them. Opponents are winning the ball and looking to get to the box. The direct and long passing means not much time is being spent in the middle of the pitch.

In the Santos/Puebla match, in particular, it felt as though there was a net across the midway line with teams bombing back and forth, then getting 4 or 5 in the box to get on the end of a cross or rebound. It’s something I’ve only just noticed, so perhaps I’m seeing something that isn’t there, but I’ll be keeping an eye on this as the season moves along.

2. Diego Lainez is the real deal
What else can be said about the 18-year-old? He started in America’s match against Pachuca and flat-out bossed. His second goal of the match was a thing of beauty: taking an Oribe Peralta deflected pass on the break and slotting it to the top shelf with pinpoint accuracy where the goalkeeper had no realistic chance to stop it. It is difficult to see why European clubs wouldn’t be looking to bring this kid over very soon.

In the meantime, America looks like a totally different, more dangerous team with him on the pitch. It’s just one match, and young players are notoriously inconsistent, but the hype is warranted.

3. Santos seem to be figuring things out
With their win against Puebla, Santos looked confident and fast. Since losing Djaniny this summer, it’s been fair to question how dangerous their attack will be. Their performance against Puebla was surely a comfort to Santos fans, at least to a degree. Julio Furch scored in minute 34, had an assist on Santos’ other goal and looked dangerous the entire match. They peppered Puebla goalkeeper Nicolas Vikonis with 7 shots on target and had 3 more blocked. Their 19 total shots marks the highest total of the season so far. Their matchup with Chivas this weekend will be a match I won’t want to miss.

4. Under-appreciated story of the week? Atlas
Los Zorros had a penalty saved in the 8th minute of their match with Pumas, gave up a goal 8 minutes later, then lost Lorenzo Reyes to a red card in minute 20. Up to that point, Atlas had actually carried the momentum. In fact, they still won the possession battle 56% to 44%, despite being a man down for 70+ minutes. I many ways, they were simply unlucky, as they’ve seemingly been all season. Atlas is still looking for its first goal in Liga MX play, but the bigger question is, what did they do to anger the “football gods”?

5. I’m rethinking my Toluca prediction, big time
Toluca has one win across all competitions right-now. A case can certainly be made that they should have lost on Sunday against Chivas. They’ve looked threatening offensively but can’t put anything away. They’ve lost to Puebla, as well as Juarez FC in the Copa MX and their draw with Chivas was fortunate. The road won’t get any easier. Toluca travels away to play against Tigres in their next Liga MX match, then get a tough Tijuana side at home, followed by a match at the Estadio Azteca against Cruz Azul. After those matches, Toluca could very well be looking at 5 points or less in the table by September.

As I said, the weekend was full of great matches that really showcased what makes Liga MX so exciting for me. The passion and fire (and bone-headedness) that was on display in the Chivas/Toluca match was a sight to behold. America/Pachuca gave me hope for the future as an Americanista. My favorite match of the week was actually Santos/Puebla, though, as I thought it was just extremely enjoyable soccer. Apertura 2018 has been great through three weeks. It will only get better.