Monterrey's Late-Season Skid No Cause For Concern

Monterrey lost their last two games of the season by a combined 6-2, but the club is still in positive mindset, manager Victor Manuel Vucetich insisted.

May 12, 2009 10:47:11 AM

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Victor Manuel Vucetich- Monterrey (Mexsport)
Through 15 games, Monterrey had positioned themselves well for a playoff run. But if the final two games are any indication, that run will be short-lived.

Monterrey dropped their last two decisions in the Clausura 2009 season but did enough in the first 15 games to reach the playoffs anyway.

It was the knowledge that a playoff spot was secure that led to the team's late collapse.
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"We knew we had qualified (for the Liguilla)," Monterrey manager Victor Manuel Vucetich said. "That calmed our nerves, made us relax a bit. It was not our intention to finish like that."

Overall, Monterrey went 7-5-5 in the regular season, good enough for second place in Group 1 and fourth in the overall table. Monterrey will meet group rival Puebla for a spot in the semifinals.

Still, the team needs to change their recent fortune. Monterrey lost their last home game, by 3-2 against America in a match that saw los Rayados ahead by a goal midway through the second half. The defense was the same shoddy form for the season finale but the offense did not show up as Pumas beat Monterrey 3-0 to close out the Clausura 2009 regular season.

The mood around the club, though, is not one of sorrow or frustration over the end of the season, Vucetich insisted.

"Our mindset is positive," Vucetich said. "Now that we know our playoff opponent we'll try to get back to how we were and hope to have the success that we are looking for."


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For more information on the Mexican league playoffs, visit Goal.com's Mexican Football section.

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