Pumas-América has lost the shine and intensity of other times: Spain

The Olympic University Stadium will be packed this Saturday when Pumas and América face each other in the 174th edition of the capital classic, where the Auriazules will try to beat their staunch rival on their field for the first time in five years.

The most recent time that the feline team defeated the Águilas at the Ciudad Universitaria venue was on matchday seven of the Clausura 2019 tournament, when they won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Carlos González, breaking a streak of 11 games without being able to beat the azulcremas at home.

In addition to reviving an old rivalry, this duel looks like one of the most attractive of the current Clausura 2024 tournament due to the moment both teams are going through. Although América has already qualified directly to the league, it will seek to establish itself as the general leader, while the university students will try to stay in playoff positions.

Likewise, everything seems to indicate that for this match the azulcrema coach, André Jardine, will not make changes to his usual lineup, so he will play with his entire arsenal despite the duel they will have next Tuesday against Pachuca, corresponding to the first leg of the semi-finals of the Concachampions.

For his part, the feline strategist, Gustavo Lema, who will play his first capital classic, will also have his most dangerous players at his disposal, like César Chino Huerta, Rogelio Funes Mori and Guillermo Martínez.

Former Auriazul player Miguel España considered that although this duel remains one of the most important in Mexican soccer, It has lost the intensity and brilliance that it had in other times due to the large number of foreigners and the shortage of homegrown players that persists in both squads..

He estimated that currently, this meeting It is no longer as antagonistic as it was in my time (in the 80s and early 90s). Previously, in addition to the teams, two television stations faced each other, and they were very strong quarries, with very good players. Today the importance of this rivalry is no longer appreciated, the identity that characterized each team has been lost..

In that sense, the former Americanist Juan Carlos Mosqueda agreed when he believed that The identity that both squads had years ago has changed, as in other important clubs, such as Cruz Azul and Chivas, since there are no youth players or many idols, and people no longer identify with the current players..

For today’s clash, both former players consider that América looks like the favorite, because in addition to being the leader, they have a streak of eight games without losing. However, Spain pointed out that Pumas “has been on the rise in its last matches and could surprise.

America is a team that knows how to play in different ways, you have to make them uncomfortable on the field. The aspect of dynamics is also going to be very important, if Pumas allows them to play their game, it will be difficult to beat them, it has to be a give and take match, where the university students must take advantage of any opportunity to score and not neglect any detail, no matter how minimalhe added.