Liga MX: Atlas-Veracruz: A clash of cellar-dwellers
There’s no way to avoid it. This is not a great way to promote its soccer weekend as Liga MX resumes after the FIFA break with a real stinker of a match on Friday night.
The two worst teams in the league tangle in Guadalajara as Veracruz visits last-place Atlas to kick off Matchday 13. The bigger picture regarding this match is the relegation standings as Veracruz is in a struggle with Lobos BUAP to avoid demotion in May. And if Atlas continues to perform poorly (5 points through 12 weeks and only 4 goals), the Zorros could soon enter the relegation conversation.
All that being said, the circumstances could produce an entertaining match as both clubs are desperate for points. Then again …
Last match
Veracruz: 0-0 draw vs Necaxa
This almost felt like a win for Veracruz, coming one week after the Tiburones had been stomped by León. Veracruz had the better of play, especially as Necaxa grew frustrated at its inability to crack the league’s worst defense. Despite their poor record (2-3-7, 9 goals, 25 goals allowed), the Tiburones showed their characteristic hustle, pestering Necaxa and increasing the Rayos’ frustration, in the process earning only their second clean sheet of the season.
Atlas: 3-1 loss at Santos
The Zorros were simply outclassed by the defending champs, but perhaps more importantly, Atlas scored for the second game in a row. Atlas did not score its first goal of the season until Matchday 8, so 3 goals in their last 2 matches is something the Zorros can hang their hats on.
Possible line-ups
Veracruz: 4-2-3-1
Gallese
Carrasco – Caicedo – Rivas – Mares
Cartagena – Ruiz
Luna – Prieto – Chávez
Menéndez
Despite the worst goals-against average in the league, Peru international goalie Pedro Gallese has been a top performer. The back four is Veracruz’s true weak link and Walter Cartagena tends to be undisciplined in front of them (especially with rash fouls). Cristián Menéndez has been a productive scorer for the Tiburones but he will be closely watched by the Atlas center backs. It’s time for Ronaldo Prieto to step forward.
Atlas: 4-2-3-1
Hernández
Govea – González – Jiménez – Calderón
Reyes – Torres
Garnica – Andrade – Cardona
Duque
The question here is the continuing absence of captain Juan Pablo Vigón and the potential start for Bryan Garnica. Vigón has had a tough year and coach Guillermo Hoyos is looking at players for next season already. With that in mind, it’s worth keeping an eye on 18-year-old Jairo Torres who has been seeing more time in midfield. Garnica must pick up his game. A star in the making a few seasons ago, the 22-year-old has regressed and tends to go solo instead of involving his teammates.
Key players
Veracruz: Pedro Gallese might be thinking he will have an easy day against the mostly punchless Zorros. But he is a seasoned pro and he will be looking to earn his third win of the season and maybe even his third shutout. Atlas has proven dangerous of late on free kicks thanks to their tall defenders so Gallese will have to be good at tracking centering passes.
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Atlas: Jefferson Duque should be eager to face the league’s worst defense and, if he doesn’t produce, his job security heading into next season could be at risk. If he can work in synch with Andrés Andrade and 19-year-old Ulises Cardona, the Zorros could give their home fans something to cheer about.
Prediction
This should be a wide-open game with so much at risk in the relegation battle. This type of game tends to turn on mistakes forced by the pace and both teams are prone to mistakes so I expect to see extended stretches of end-to-end action with pauses mitigated by concerns about fixing tactical issues. Atlas has some cushion with regard to the relegation standings so I expect them to pressure Veracruz early and often, especially at home. If the Tiburones give up an early goal, we could see a real shoot-out.