Estudiantes Seek Divine Help To Reach Libertadores

Estudiantes Tecos visited the Basilic of Zapopan on Tuesday, a day before their decisive match against Peruvian side Juan Aurich as a spot in Copa Libertadores will be determined.

Feb 3, 2010 12:58:00 AM

More On :  Tecos UAG
Miguel Herrera- Tecos (Mexsport)
Estudiantes will host Peruvian side Juan Aurich in the return leg of their Copa Libertadores play-in series, but the Mexicans aren't exactly in a comfortable position.

Juan Aurich beat Estudiantes 2-0 in the first leg on Jan. 27 in Chiclayo, Peru, and now are nearly through to the group stage of the tournament.
Don't Miss

Still, Estudiantes are counting on a bit of divine help. The club visited the famed Virgin of Zapopan on Tuesday and sought out help from one of the most revered figures in Guadalajara. The virgin is the Patroness of the State of Jalisco and is housed at the Basilic of Zapopan, the Guadalajara suburb where Estudiantes are based.

Club officials said the team did not pray for a win, however.

"We came to pray for our health, at least in my case, to be healthy and pray for the best for our families," manager Miguel Herrera told reporters. "God is there to help everyone. We can't say that He will ask for what we want and will help us but not the other team. The best help He can give us is our health."

Estudiantes caught fire in the final two games of InterLiga as the club tied America 3-3 and beat Puebla 3-2. In both of those games, Estudiantes were trailing but overcame their deficits to pull out results.


However, that has not carried over. Since beating Puebla on Jan. 13 to secure a spot in the play-in series against Juan Aurich, Estudiantes has lost all three of their league games as well as the match against Juan Aurich in Peru.

"We've lost three games and the truth is we're sounding the alarm," forward Fredy Bareiro said in a press conference. "We have to come out as fast as possible. But we have to also forget (about the league) and focuse on this Libertadores match, where we will try and turn around the scoreline."

Goal.com

For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
2 Comments
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI

    Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine

  2. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  3. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  4. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  5. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.