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Liguilla Preview: Santos vs. Toluca
In the second semifinal series, current champion Santos will continue in defense of their title against a complicated Toluca who have accrued a total of 656 minutes without conceding a goal.
Dec 3, 2008 5:08:30 PM
Who: Santos vs. Toluca
What: Apertura 2008 Semifinals, First Leg
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2008
5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET
Where: Estadio Corona, Torreón, Coahuila
The second semifinal series features a clash of titans between two of Mexico’s best and strongest teams, current champ Santos Laguna and Toluca.
Without a doubt both sides have been protagonists in Mexican football over the past 10 years, and share a history and rivalry in the Liguilla.
The Diablos Rojos of Toluca have the advantage in that time frame, with five titles and three series victories in the final stages against the Guerreros.
They have faced each other in two semifinal instances, in the Invierno 1999 and Apertura 2002, and in the Verano 2000 final. On all occasions, Toluca emerged victorious and were eventual winners of the crown.
Similar to the other semifinal series, that negative precedent and scandalous 7-1 defeat in the 2000 final may serve as incentive for Santos to seek sporting vengeance and write a new page in the history books.
In week 10 of the Torneo Apertura 2008, the Diablos Rojos defeated the champ with a score of 2-1 at “La Bombonera.”
Santos
The Torreón side will look to continue their good post season form in their third consecutive semifinal series.
Santos advanced to this stage after a deserved and resounding quarterfinal series victory against Superlider San Luis with a 5-2 aggregate score.
In the quarterfinals, they were led by creative minds Daniel Ludueña and Cuauhtémoc Blanco, whose outstanding performances allowed the champion to resolve the series with the most goals in favor.
The incorporation of Blanco appears to be the missing link that rectified an otherwise inconsistent regular season form for the champion.
His arrival has not only strengthened and given clarity to the attack, but the Chicago Fire star brings the vital experience of many Liguilla battles that can make the difference in crucial moments.
Santos benefit not only from a good form, but from an overall positive atmosphere in the locker room in which no player stands above the rest. They have demonstrated a commitment to work together as a unit in the scheme of coach Daniel Guzmán.
Despite his relative youth in the coaching scene, Guzmán has demonstrated his qualifications, stamped his style, and at the right moment has given Santos a sense of confidence with their own potential to aspire for a back-to-back title.
Toluca
The Choriceros wrapped up their quarterfinal series with a more than convincing football display and a 3-1 aggregate score victory against Tecos.
After a slow start to the Torneo Apertura 2008, Toluca earned the second best regular season record with four victories in the last five matches and a reliable defensive line that has racked up 656 minutes without receiving a goal.
A large part of the streak is attributed to in-form veteran goalkeeper, Hernán Cristante, who at his 39-years of age continues to be a stalwart for the defense thanks to many impressive and timely interventions.
Despite the triumphant participation of the Diablos Rojos in the past Liguilla’s and their regular season record, they do not favor from the spotlight and headlines of Santos in the playoffs.
However, coach José Manuel de la Torre has united a group of equally motivated and capable players that can at a moments notice change the game to their favor.
Toluca head into the semifinals with a slight advantage since they close the series at home, where they were virtually invincible and served as a fortress after suffering only one defeat.
The main weakness of the Diablos could be a repeat performance of the first leg match against Tecos, when they relinquished the ball, were outplayed and only escaped with a positive result due to the bad shooting of the Tecolotes.
The Match
In many ways this series has all the ingredients to be an anticipated final.
The pitch will be glazed with an abundance of talent and quality to spare, with two teams that are powerful in attack, strong in the defensive line, and with two great veteran goalkeepers.
As in the other series, both teams are managed by two young Mexican coaches with clear objectives and a carefully defined style that is proficient on all zones of the field.
The key factor of the first leg encounter will be the proposal of Toluca.
Santos is known to suffer at home when the opposition presents an attacking initiative. However, if the Diablos are cautious and cede the ball, then Santos will prove lethal in attack and take a big step towards their second consecutive final.
-- César García covers México for Goal.com.
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