Two frustrated sides, poor technique, tactical fouls, 7 yellow cards, plays down the wings, and more failed crosses into the box than any other approach on goal. This is the breakdown of a terrible 90 minutes of football at the Omnilife Stadium, where Club Deportive Guadalajara faced off against one of their biggest rivals, Cruz Azul in what I personally describe as a glorified match of playground kick ball.
There were only three chances on goal in the first half. The first of these was in favor of Chivas and came in the 4th minute from a corner kick. The Guadalajara corner was sent right at the edge of the Cruz Azul six yard box and forced goalkeeper Jesus Corona to dive uncomfortably and leave the rebound to Guadalajara midfielder Carlos Rodriguez. Rodriguez headed the ball past Corona, but the attempt was cleared off of the goal line with a wonderful acrobatic display by center back Francisco Rodriguez. The next clear chance came from the Mexico City side when their only striker Christian Gimenez, had a one on one chance against Chivas’ keeper Antonio Rodriguez. There was some confusion about whether or not Gimenez was offside and even the striker doubted his position, but play proceeded and the young Rodriguez was able to come off of his line and make the save. The final chance of the first 45 was once again in favor of Guadalajara. Another corner kick led to another series of rebounds in the box but landed at the feet of Jesus Sanchez who took a chance on goal and once again, Chivas were denied with another goal line clearance.
The second half saw more of the same inability to score by both teams. There were no clear chances on goal by either team, but there was a controversial play where Cruz Azul right winger Mauro Formica was brought down inside the Guadalajara box, but the official decided that it was not enough for a penalty. The final 15 minutes of the match were intense with both teams playing hit for hit. Mariano Pavone had a wasted chance in the 76th minute where he headed the ball straight into the hands of Rodriguez and Pablo Barrera made a run into the box from the right wing that ended with his shot going wide in the 78th. Angel Reyna had a wonderful individual play in the Cruz Azul box, which ended with a weak shot that barely bothered Corona. Cruz Azul had the final dangerous play from a corner kick in the 91st. The corner found right back Gerardo Flores who headed the ball downward to Pavone’s feet, but Pavone was denied one final time by Rodriguez.
Neither team managed to impress. The ball spent most of the time in the air and for most of the match, the players seemed to be unable to control the ball. Neither team could retain control of the midfield, and so, most of the activity came from long balls down the wings. Guadalajara finished the match with 59% possession, but mostly because they passed the ball around in their defensive half before launching the ball forward to one of the strikers. The best players in the match seemed to be the two center backs. Carlos Salcido was an excellent anchor and made it impossible for the Cruz Azul attackers to create plays down the middle. On the opposite side, “Maza” Rodriguez continued to win the divided crosses that Chivas put in the box. Antonio Rodriguez also played a huge role by denying every chance that “Los Cementeros” put on target.
Both of these teams began the season with mediocre results and were hoping to take home the three points. A win today would have helped either team take off, and start to improve their season, but neither team was able to capitalize on their chances and they both walked away with a point.
Photo Credit: JamMedia