We are headed into that time of the year again. A Club America team which was the most consistent squad of the competition has to face a team in the playoffs that’s fresh off a win in the Wild Card round. In previous seasons, particularly under former manager Santiago Solari, this was a tough spot for Club America. Things got so bad that the playoff format in Liga MX was changed over the fact that Club America were getting bounced in the first rounds of the playoffs!
Now under Fernando Ortiz the team again had a great regular season. Literally, the best regular season in team history. They get to face off against Puebla in the quarterfinal round of the Liga MX playoffs. What do they need to do to make sure that they don’t get bounced again?
Defensive Stability Particularly In The First Game
The formula that beat Club America in their last playoff appearances was a simple one. The opposing team was able to find an early goal in the series, and Club America wasn’t able to respond. To be fair to the current Club America squad this team does pack a mean punch they have people upfront that you have to account for. Henry Martin can do a lot of dirty work to have Zendejas, Jonathan Rodríguez, and even the likes of Roger Martinez find open chances on goal.
Going back to defense though, what they can’t afford is mental mistakes by someone like Nestor Araujo. It just seems like his technical deficiencies are always on full display in the worst possible moments. If they are able to keep those mental mistakes to a minimum and not get behind on the scoreboard they could cruise through the series. Ultimately what helps Club America in this matchup is that Puebla isn’t necessarily stacked upfront by any means. They should be able to pull through.
Play To Your Strengths
What are Club America’s strengths? You have to respect the counter with this Club America team. That’s going to be an issue with Puebla who historically under Larcamon aren’t a great transition defense team. At the same time, though, Club America can overpower you while keeping the ball under their control or adjusting to have their guys perform a very high press.
It may be smart for Club America to just not give Puebla a free release at any point. Even though as we mentioned they can be very dangerous on the counter their best bet may very well be to not take any chances defensively. Fight for possession from the word go on the road at Puebla, and have Puebla be the ones on their heels. These two teams actually recently faced off with Club America winning 2-1 on the road. Just literally look at that tape and try to do more of the same. While also cleaning up some of those defensive deficiencies that we talked about. Which were on full display in the play that led to the Puebla goal.
Our Prediction
We’re kind of rooting for Puebla to get an early goal because that could throw Club America’s game plan out the window. In turn, that could lead to a highly entertaining series. These are two teams that like to play offensive football, and will compete for possession. If Club America wants to have a smooth series they may sit back a bit in the first game in Puebla. Hope for that counter, and maybe find the back of the net early themselves.
If Puebla had just a little bit more of an offensive presence this could be a very hard series for Club America. Looking at their squad right now though with an out of shape Jozy Altidore just rooting from the bench it doesn’t seem like they can mount an offense that will be reliable enough for them throughout the series which could worry Club America. Club America may end up winning both games.
