off to América

By: j | May 4th, 2008

As Monterrey travels into Mexico City to face América today, they know a victory will see them finish fifth in the Clausura season, which is a stunning turnaround from the Apertura season when they finished second-to-last in the table. Under Ricardo Lavolpe’s mastery the attacking style of the club has seen a goal-scoring eruption of Humberto Suazo and they have additionally tightened up weak defensive links. As noted by Lavolpe himself, the club is now a close-knit group that can perform with the best of clubs in the Liguilla.

This is a peculiar time to face América, as their season has been a frightful mess where they have only eight points to show for the campaign and miserable negative sixteen goal differential in what is clearly their worst season on record. They are winless in their last five matches in the Primera División, with a 13-3 combined score and it is quite obvious that the strain of playing in the Copa Libertadores has weighed heavy on them. It won’t be any easier today with them facing Flamengo in the second leg of this round in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday as well and that must be in the back of their minds as well as their tactical play. While naturally this appears to be the best possible time to face them, based upon performances such as River Plate in the Copa, they cannot be underestimated and must be marked tightly, specifically in set-plays.

However, that being said I expect the Rayados to come out with a full three points and for Suazo to add to this thirteen goal total.