Liga MX: Red-faced Toluca set to host red-hot Pachuca
After recording a stunning upset of Cruz Azul, Pachuca travels to Toluca on Matchday 12 to take on a Diablos Rojos team in disarray.
Toluca was steadily climbing toward the top of the standings only to crash and burn against Atlas last week. Pachuca seems to be finding its identity and coach Pako Ayestarán is pressing all the right buttons. The Tuzos could solidify their postseason aspirations with a road win while Toluca must steady the ship because its schedule does not get any easier down the stretch.
Last Match
Toluca: L @Atlas 2-0
Heading into last week’s match, Atlas had scored only one goal all season and was 0-2-8. Toluca squandered numerous scoring chances in the first half then Atlas rallied after a goal just after the half hour. After volatile skipper Rubens Sambueza earned a red card in minute 57, Toluca never recovered.
Pachuca: W vs Cruz Azul 3-1
The Tuzos looked dangerous against the league’s best defense and midfielder Víctor Guzmán was a threat from the opening whistle. He assisted on all three goals and Pachuca put it on cruise control for the second half. The Tuzos’ youngsters are stepping up and contributing and coach Ayestarán was masterful with tactical adjustments and substitutions.
Predicted Lineups
Toluca: 4-2-3-1
García
Salinas – Tobio – González – Borja
Willian – Ríos
Quiñones – Canelo – Mendoza
Vega
Coach Hernán Cristante’s preferred line-up might get more than a tweak with Sambueza suspended and the disappointing production from Alexis Canelo and Alexis Vega. The injury to Enrique Triverio (thigh strain) leaves Amaury Escoto as the only other option up front. Willian da Silva will be called upon to pick up some of the offensive slack in Sambueza’s absence, a task he performed admirably when the captain was out injured earlier this season.
Pachuca: 5-3-2
Blanco
R. López – Barreiro – Tapias – Murillo – García
P. López – Hernández – Aguirre
Guzmán – Ulloa
The way fullbacks Raúl López and Manny García are moving forward, this line-up is virtually a 3-5-2 and López was especially dangerous against Cruz Azul. Pablo López is coming into his own in place of Erick Gutiérrez (sold to PSV Eindhoven), while “seleccionados” Erick Aguirre and Guzmán came back from national team duty brimming with confidence. Summer signing Leo Ulloa (from Leicester City) has finally made his way into the starting line-up and has been contributing.
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Key Players:
Toluca: Luis “Quick” Mendoza must step up and find a way to get the Diablos going. He has shown flashes of the promise he exhibited at América, but has disappeared from games too often. With Sambueza out, he has a chance to make a mark with Toluca.
Pachuca: Leo Ulloa opened the scoring against Cruz Azul last week and he has grown more comfortable with the league and his teammates after arriving late in the summer signing window. His presence in the box has opened space for Aguirre and Guzmán, making the Tuzos offense even more dangerous.
Prediction
This is a perfect trap game for Pachuca after two marvelous home wins in 5 days – knocking aside Cruz Azul then beating the powerful Tigres on penalty kicks in a Copa MX match. Now on the road against a wounded Toluca team that is always tough at home. I think the Toluca veterans will embrace the challenge of playing without their captain but won’t be able to fend off the energetic and youthful Tuzos.