This is the first time FC Juarez gains a victory in the Estadio Azteca versus Club America. Unlike America, their poor performance, and with the help of Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) caused America to lose three points.
At the start of the match, coach Miguel Herrera initiated with a 1-4-4-1-1 formation. Unfortunately, in minute two America is down one player due to a red card given to Jorge Sanchez. This immediately changed the formation, and America played with three defenders.
While there is no doubt that Sanchez deserved the red card, at first the referee gave him a yellow card, before VAR signaled to the ref that it was in fact a red card.
At minute 11, VAR plays once again a huge role. As Juarez takes advantage of the game and scores, VAR ignores that Diego Rolan is in fact offsides. If VAR made the referee review the play of the red card, why didn’t they fight for the clear offside?
Despite the offside, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa makes a huge mistake while attempting to tackle the ball. He misses and instead with his left arm passes the ball to Juarez’s forward, Rolan. If Ochoa would have stayed in his area he could have prevented this mistake.
While Juarez was leading 1-0, they did not hesitate to score another goal. This time, Emanuel Aguilera lost his mark, Dario Lezcano. Lezcano surprised Aguilera from behind and scored the second goal for Juarez.
As America attempted to tie the game, they were able to score at minute 75, but it wasn’t enough.
In a direct kick, America’s player, Henry Martin attempted to kick the ball out, he missed and allowed Bruno Romo to header the ball in the goal. If Martin would have stayed with his mark, he could have prevented Romo from scoring. FC Juarez seals the game, and takes three points home.
Though most of these calls were unpredictable such as the red card, and the offsides, America should be prepared to play in any situation. Even if they are down one man.
It is clear that Miguel Herrera needs to work with his team, and prevent these rookie mistakes. In the past three games, the referees showed that Club America is simply not the favorite team in the league.
Club America must fight their way in the league with the mentality that everything they do and don’t do will be used against them.
Though America still has another game to catch up, as of now they are in 11th place. They must win their next games in order to be in the top eight teams that qualify for the playoffs.
If America defeats Puebla on Feb. 4 they will be in sixth place with seven points.
The Powerful Eagles ⏐ Las Poderosas Águilas 