Out of past 12 Pumas-America games in C.U., UNAM has just one win
As always the ‘Clásico Capitalino’ is the highlight of the week in Liga MX. Although America is going through a tough time, they seem to find another gear against Pumas. However, it looks like they will have their hands full with the felines who are looking to break a bad streak at home against the Águilas as they have only won one of the last 12 games played at Ciudad Universitaria.
Pumas are more than motivated going in to the duel against America. On Wednesday, they beat Saprissa 4-1 at home in the second leg of the Round of 16 match of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. Juan Ignacio Dinenno showed up big by scoring twice. Palermo Ortiz contributed as well with a header and a last minute goal by Rogério de Oliveira placed them within the top eight in CONCACAF.
Now they return to Liga MX where they stand in sixth place after a tie against defending champions Atlas and a victory over runner-up Leon. A win this Saturday can send them all the way to the top 3 pending other results.
The Auriazules also have a fresh memory of a victory over their rivals as just last season, they not only beat top-seeded America, but they eliminated them from the playoffs in the quarter-finals. That was their first victory against the Águilas since February 2019.
As stated above, America is going through one of their worst tournament starts in history as they have only accumulated four points out of 18 possible. This season, the Águilas have one victory (over last place Santos) and a tie in the first game of the year. These results have them in 16th. Although it is true that this is not the club’s worst ever performance, if they don’t pick up the pace, they could be headed that way.
Pumas is looking forward for this game so they can start making their home a place America does not want to visit. So far, it seems they prefer to play the felines in CU over the Azteca.
Dating back to Dec. 2015, both teams have played 10 games in CU. America has an impressive 4-5-1 record, and have handed the Pumas a couple of humiliating defeats including a 1-4 in the 2018 quarterfinals and a 1-3 in the 2015 semifinals. Pumas hasn’t been able to win at home against America in the “Liguilla” since 2014, and their last regular season win came three years ago.
America also faces the challenge that a defeat might get head coach Santiago Solari fired. This wouldn’t be the first coach to be kicked out after a “Clásico Capitalino” but it could be the first for America. Pumas have fired four head coaches directly after a loss to America: Hugo Sánchez, Mario Carrillo, Antonio Torres Servín and David Patiño have been the victims. This time around, the felines have the chance to avenge their coaches.