Pumas: Leandro's Absence Not The Reason

Veteran forward Juan Francisco 'Paco' Palencia believes that their negative run in the torneo is not due to the injury absence of Leandro Augusto in the midfield, but to their lack of scoring opportunities.

Oct 28, 2008 3:41:41 PM

More On :  Pumas, Francisco Palencia
Juan Francisco Palencia- Pumas (Mexsport)
Pumas de la UNAM have a negative run of six weeks without a victory, earning six points out of a possible 18 disputed.  

Brazilian-Mexican Leandro Augusto has been out of action for seven weeks and his absence in the midfield has been mentioned as a possible reason for the Pumas debacle.  Still, veteran forward Juan Francisco Palencia does not consider his absence to be the cause of their poor form.
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"It is difficult to respond to that question, because the first matches without Leandro we played real well and earned points and no one talked about the 'Güero.'  Now that we need points and are not winning there is always a search for the cause of our problem." stated Palencia.

The 35-year old forward has had a limited participation this season due to an injury, but believes that the reason for their negative run is because they have failed to generate scoring opportunities.

"Many focus on Leandro, I would focus more on the lack of producing scoring opportunities for the team, to have goal," explained 'Paco.'  "The few opportunities we create are not capitalized."

"Leandro is a very important player for us, but he is a defensive midfielder and I believe what worries us the most is our failure to create scoring plays and take advantage of the one's we have."


In reference to the overall season for Pumas, 'Paco' indicated that they are not in a critical moment.

"The team is not for relegation, not far from the qualification zone, I do not know of what critical moment you are talking about," affirmed Palencia.  "It is only a question of recovering a bit in the subject of victories.  With a couple of victories in two weeks you will be talking about Pumas being in the fight for the championship."

"It seems to me that critical moment is not the appropriate word."

A return to victory will not be easy for Pumas, next they travel to Jalisco to face Chivas in the Jornada 15 of the Torneo Apertura 2008.

-- César García, Goal.com

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