Liga MX: Queretaro gets tasty matchup with Veracruz

Queretaro find themselves in great position for Liguilla, tied for 8th position in the Liga MX table with 22 points, facing bottom-of-the-table Veracruz.

Not the sexiest of matchups, here. Queretaro, though effective, have largely been a boring team. Los Gallos Blancos have scored just 16 times in 15 matches. Veracruz, meanwhile, only have 14 goals to their name in Liga MX play. However, as Queretaro showed against Santos Laguna, they are capable of producing some magic, now and then. A Tiburones side that has allowed the most goals in Liga MX, by far, with 34, should offer Queretaro an opportunity to possibly even reach a positive goal differential.

Last Match

Querétaro: W v Santos Laguna 2-1

Los Gallos Blancos came out with guns ablaze, proving their doubters (that’s me) wrong by scoring the match’s first goal just 18 minutes in from Alexis Perez. Queretaro was able to control play in the first half, for the most part, with 6 totals shots on 53% possession. As is typical for Santos, they came out strong to start the 2nd half. Queretaro weathered that storm, however, and in the 61st minute, Daniel Villalva was able to get another tally on the board for the home team. Santos would press forward hard from that point, looking for a goal to draw them back in the match. They would find it with a Jona Rodriguez goal, but it was too late, in the 89th minute. Queretaro was able to hold on for a huge win.

Veracruz: L v Monterrey 2-0

As expected, Veracruz lost. Maybe not as expected was the fact they had 64% possession in the 2nd half, forced seven total saves from the Monterrey keeper, and outshot Los Rayados 16-15. Unfortunately, the stat that mattered was 2-0. Roldolfo Pizarro scored in the 25th minute and Jesus Gallardo added another in the 71st. Veracruz couldn’t make any of their chances turn into goals thanks to Marcelo Barovero and the Monterrey defense.

Predicted Lineups

Querétaro: 4-2-3-1

Volpi
Corral – Mier – Romo – Pérez
Gómez – Guemez
Villalva – Ruiz – Cortizo
Sanvezzo

Tiago Volpi was phenomenal against Santos, but shouldn’t need to provide heroics this week. Luis Romo didn’t play against Los Guerreros but Diego Novaretti didn’t do anything special to make me think Los Gallos will start him over Romo again. The move to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 instead of a traditional 4-4-2 seemed to work well for them, so that is what I expect to see moving forward.

Veracruz: 4-4-2

Gallese
Paganoni – Caicedo – Noya – Mares
Prieto – Noriega – Ruiz – Luna
Menéndez – Chávez

After not starting against Monterrey, I’d expect Jesus Paganoni to return to the lineup, especially after the performance Enrique Perez gave in his place. It will be interesting to see whether Los Tiburones try to open up Queretaro or if they’ll sit back and counter. Veracruz has clearly struggled in defense this season and perhaps will want to solidify that element of their game if they have hopes of competing more in the Clausura.

Key Players

Querétaro: Camilo Sanvezzo

He provided the assist on Queretaro’s first goal but didn’t score one himself in the Santos match. He was still key in making the Queretaro attack dangerous and forcing Santos to make decisions that ultimately led to goals. As he goes, so goes Queretaro.

Veracruz: Cristian Menendez

Unless they want to pack it in and play for a 0-0 draw, someone has to score for Veracruz. Menendez has been that guy this year, to the tune of six total goals in Liga MX play. They’ll rely on him some more, but will he have enough to break through a strong Queretaro defense?

Prediction

Queretaro’s stunning victory over Santos Laguna could have won them a spot in the Liguilla. This match and Necaxa next week, stand as the weakest remaining schedule in Liga MX. There is a real possibility of a major let-down. Veracruz is bad, but they do have enough bite to sneak up on teams that aren’t paying enough attention. With Liguilla so close, I have to believe Queretaro will take care of business though.