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Bicentenario 2010 Preview: Group One, Weakest Of All
Group One was downright awful during the Apertura 2009 season save for one club. Toluca were worthy group champions but the rest of this collection of clubs was a cesspool of terrible football. Goal.com's Andrea Martinez previews Group One.
Jan 14, 2010 2:06:54 PM
In the Apertura 2009 Group one was arguably the weakest group of the Mexican league. Toluca was the standout and leader of the group. All the others did not challenge the leader, but fought amongst themselves for the second place for a chance at the Liguilla. The general performances will most likely stay around the same level as before. Again, Toluca are the favorites of the group with Atlas, Indios and Queretaro battling the threat of relegation. Similar performances as the previous season would be no great surprise.
ATLAS
Apertura 2009: 5-9-3; 15th in overall table
Key newcomers: Romulo Marques, Andres Chitiva, Fabricio Fuentes
Key Losses: Ismael Fuentes
Update: Atlas had results all over the place but came close to qualifying for the Liguilla after being placed in weak group one and missed the postseason by three points. The team now has a new manager, Carlos Ischia, and new players in the attempt revitalize the team and most important to save them from regulation.
Outlook: The team’s struggles are deep-rooted and will be difficult to fix in just one short season. The important goal for the season will be to move up and put some distance from being in 16th place in the relegation table. Again, the group that Atlas are placed in is a weak group so the Rojinegros have a strong opportunity to go to the Liguilla.
INDIOS
Apertura 2009: 0-11-6: 18th in overall table
Key newcomers: Emil Martinez, Jose Carlos Dias, Christian Martinez
Key losses: Juan Pablo Rodriguez, Edwin Hernandez, Rodrigo Fernandez
Update: Indios made history in the Apertura 2009 but with a record teams would rather forgo; they are now in the book as the first team to go without a win in short tournaments. Not one. Only a grand total of six points were earned and long with that, Indios slipped closer to relegation.
Outlook: The bad streak is likely to continue although Indios might be able to win a game this upcoming season. The greatest thing on Indios’ mind is sure to be the theme of relegation as they sit in last place with some space between them 17th placed Queretaro.
GUADALAJARA
Apertura 2009: 5-8-4; 14th in overall table
Key newcomers: Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista
Key losses: Ramon Morales, Gonzalo Pineda, Sergio Amaury Ponce
Update: Managers were the dominating topic at Chivas during the season and players on the transfer list dominated the off-season. The Apertura 2009 was an unfortunate season for Chivas; they missed several opportunities to go the Liguilla and produced poor results that ended several manager’s stints.
Outlook: Several important players were let go and were inadequately replaced. Another Liguilla-less season seems possible especially with the schedule that Chivas will have to play. The team will have to stretch itself to cover both the Copa Libertadores and the Mexican League in addition to dealing with the possibility of players leaving for World Cup training.
QUERETARO
Apertura 2009: 5-9-3; 16th in overall table
Key newcomers: German Villa, Javier Elizondo, Julio Laffatigue
Key losses: Diego Chavez, Marco A. Jimenez, Jonathan Piña
Update: Queretaro moved out of the last place in the relegation table and gained a small cushion The second half of the Apertura 2009 saw a nice run from Queretaro, something that they’ll hope to extend that run into the new tournament.
Outlook: With a strong run Queretaro could easily qualify into the Liguilla due to the group that they are placed in: group one. However, they need to be aware of the strong threat of relegation, but they have the chance to do well.
SAN LUIS
Apertura 2009: 5-6-6; 11th in overall table; lost to Toluca in quarterfinals
Key newcomers: Blas Perez, Gonzalo Pineda, Diego Martinez
Key losses: Tressor Moreno, Eduardo Coudet, Adrian Garcia Arias
Update: San Luis qualified for the Liguilla due to being in a weak group and the failure of other teams to catch up. Though they were 11th place they made it in as the second place of group one but lost in the quarterfinals to Toluca.
Outlook: The team can improve on the average Apertura 2009 performance. Solid players were added to San Luis’ roster than can help the team perform better in the regular season for a better standing in the post season. A slight improvement over last season can push the team far.
TOLUCA
Apertura 2009: 11-4-2; 1st in overall table; lost to Monterrey in the semifinals
Key newcomers: Manuel Perez, Osvaldo Gonzalez
Key losses: Diego de la Torre, Jose Antonio Olvera, Israel Lopez
Update: After leading in the Apertura 2009, Toluca eventually bowed out against eventual champions Monterrey. Goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera did well stepping in to fill in the void underneath the posts for Toluca because of veteran goalkeeper Hernan Cristante’s injury. The return of the starter shall provide an interesting situation at the back.
Outlook: Being a consistent performer is nothing new to Toluca so their long term top performances should continue in the new tournament. As always, Toluca’s participation in the Liguilla should be expected, although they will try to get into the final that eluded them in 2009.
Andrea Martinez covers Mexican football for Goal.com.
For more coverage of the Bicentenario 2010 season visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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