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Pumas Face a Tough Challenge Against Juarez

By Mahonri Mendoza

The Pumas may have salvaged their season after blanking the league's best team, but they must follow up their win over Santos with consistent play. Freire #18 of Pumas celebrate after winning the 12th round match between Pumas UNAM and Santos Laguna as part of the Torneo Apertura 2019 Liga MX at Olimpico Universitario Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
The Pumas may have salvaged their season after blanking the league's best team, but they must follow up their win over Santos with consistent play. Freire #18 of Pumas celebrate after winning the 12th round match between Pumas UNAM and Santos Laguna as part of the Torneo Apertura 2019 Liga MX at Olimpico Universitario Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Led by Spaniard Michel, Pumas managed to get the three points on their home opener against Pachuca but struggled to win comfortably in the end. Juarez started the season on the wrong foot picking up a loss against Chivas 2-0 in the opening week of play for Clausura 2020

Pumas will now go to the northern part of Mexico to face Juarez in the evening of Thursday Night. Juarez has been a little pebble on their shoe since gaining promotion to the first division. Pumas has only picked up one win out of four encounters. While visiting the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez, Pumas has only faced them in Copa MX fixtures. This match will become the second time they face each other in Liga MX. Being leveled in the scoreboard last time they met, Pumas will be looking to pick up their second win against Los Bravos.

Pumas need to improve
Pumas fans didn’t have much to cheer for this year and that led to poor attendance figures in the Apertura 2019. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Pumas showed a good form when facing Pachuca on Sunday afternoon, Alfredo Saldivar on goalkeeping duties was phenomenal when the opposition came close to scoring. The defensive back four composed of Alan Mozo, Johan Vasquez, Luis Quintana, and Manuel Mayorga all showed a tremendous defensive display. Problems reappeared right at the final moments of the match when they didn’t have clear dominance over the opposition, but luckily for them, the referee ended the game.

Pablo Barrera in the winger role was critical to lead the attacks on the right side of the field. He could be as important as the last game when facing the Juarez defenders. Sebastian Saucedo debuted by scoring the opening goal of the match and, unfortunately, would have to come out of the game after what it seemed like some knee problems. Carlos Gonzalez played a good match unlucky for him that he didn’t find the target when facing the goal. Gonzalez could get his scoring tally up and running against Los Bravos, considering the level of the team.

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Los Bravos will be seeking out a home opener victory against the Auriazulez. In front of their crowd, Juarez last season won only 44% of their disputed matches, a tally they would want to correct. Pumas, on the road, only won one match out of nine disputed games, losing five of those encounters. Pumas, at least on the Apertura 2019, was a different team when they played away. Pumas, need to fix their on the road matches, not falling under pressure can help them gain a good winning streak if they beat Juarez this Thursday.

Pumas faces a tough challenge when they face Juarez; it won’t be an easy match. Pumas has a more than capable squad to get the job done, and it is up to Michel and players to come back home with a win and three more points.

Stay tuned for more.

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