As things stand Club America is by far and away the odds on favorite to win the title. The only problem for Tano Ortiz’s squad is that Rayados is still in the picture. Rayados is led by the man that they call “King Midas”. Everything that he touches turns to gold. Granted, Victor Manuel Vucetich hasn’t necessarily done a lot of winning as of late, but he can still be the man to spoil Club America’s anticipated title celebration.
Monterrey’s Roster Is On Par With Club America
If there’s a team that can compete with Club America’s midfield it’s Rayados. In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup Victor Vucetich will likely send out Luis Romo, and Celso Ortiz to do battle against Fidalgo and Richard Sanchez. Rayados can be really tough in that middle of the field; they even have Kranevviter who can come in and refresh that midfield. Rayados is not going to be as explosive, and offensively minded if you will, but they’re solid all around.
Maxi Meza, and Ponchito Gonzalez on the wings can provide a spark for this team at any moment. It could be argued that they are more talented even than someone like Zendejas or Layun for Club America. Since Rayados plays more of a 4-4-2 they can be a matchup nightmare for Club America’s 4-2-3-1. Jonathan Rodríguez and Zendejas don’t get back on defense all that much nor does Diego Valdes. That can be a real problem particularly if the America defense finds itself playing man to man on the back end. Club America needs space to play, and Rayados really doesn’t provide a lot of empty space to play.
He’s Not Going To Beat Himself
Victor Manuel Vucetich is not going to beat himself. No offense to Nicolas Larcamon, but he’s just not going to fall into the trap of wanting to match any team in intensity and speed. He knows that what makes his team great is that they are solid all around, and they have enough talent upfront to finish you off in the key moments. That’s exactly what they did to Cruz Azul. There was certainly some luck involved in that equation. However, the team never really looked flustered even as Cruz Azul continued to produce goal scoring chances.
If you look at Monterrey’s last game of the regular season with Pachuca they went through the same thing. Pachuca had more chances, but Rayados never wavered. They stuck to their game, and kind of just kept playing, they didn’t do anything drastic. Even if they get down on the scoreboard they are not going to be a team that will just go all out to strike back. That sometimes excessive calm demeanor can drive other teams nuts.
The Strange Instances Where The Ball Bounces His Way
It wouldn’t be an article about Victor Manuel Vucetich without talking about the strange instances in which the ball just bounces his way. Even in what most considered a failed tenure with the Mexican national team it’s under his guidance that Raul Jimenez scored a bicycle kick goal against Panama to give Mexico the win. Sure in the next game his team lost, but he got bailed out by the United States. He took a Queretaro team with a fully washed Ronaldinho to the finals.
Even going back to his days at Leon and Tecos if you ask people who were around back then they would all say the same thing. We have no idea what his team’s style is. All that we know is that they find a way to win. That’s why the King Midas moniker is so on point. It’s not about a style of play with Vucetich, it’s about staying calm and knowing things will work out in the end because you’re the man.
