10-man Leon salvages a draw on the road (again)
For the second consecutive week, Leon went down a man then fought back to find an equalizer. And once again it was Lucas Di Yorio doing the honors, finding the net to make the final score 1-1.
At Estadio Cuauhtémoc, league-leading Puebla took the lead when prodigal son Omar Fernández raced into the box to collect a nifty through ball from Gustavo Ferrarais and chip it over the onrushing Rodolfo Cota. Fernández did not celebrate his 21st-minute goal, showing respect for the teammates he’d played with for a year while on loan from Puebla.
The host Camoteros continued to press forward, flashing a smooth transition attack that forced two splendid saves by Cota sandwiched around a Fernando Aristeguieta shot that clanged off the right post.
Leon looked hesitant and slow and their playmakers – particularly Joel Campbell and Luis Montes – were pressed into mistakes.
Red card for Leon defender
Just seconds before the halftime whistle, Esmeraldas defender Stiven Barreiro tried to shut down a Puebla break-out but his hard slide took out the legs of Maxi Araujo on the Camoteros side of the midfield stripe.
His rash action was awarded with a yellow card, but that being his second such caution, he was sent to the showers. The situation seemed bleak for Leon.
Inexplicably, Puebla seemed to switch up its strategy, playing more cautiously. “La Franja” appeared content to control possession instead of pushing forward.
The apparent tactical change allowed Leon to settle into the match and the visitors began to find time and space. “La Fiera” were the more dangerous side throughout the second half, ending the game with 54% possession.
In minute 79, Leon set up for a corner kick – one of six it earned in the second half – and league-leading scorer Di Yorio answered the call. Víctor Dávila’s centering pass found Di Yorio just inside the penalty spot and the newcomer headed firmly past a helpless Antony Silva for the equalizer.
Di Yorio now has 4 goals for the Esmeraldas, knocking home the winner in the season opener before scoring twice last week – including the equalizer – as 10-man Leon erased a 3-0 deficit at UNAM.
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The result leaves Puebla with 7 points (2-1-0) and in first place pending the outcome of the remainder of Matchday 3 contests while Leon climbs momentarily into fourth place with 5 points (1-2-0).