Monterrey don’t regularly drop points at Estadio Technologico and they almost never lose, so Club America should be happy with their season-opening performance up north. They put together an impressive defensive display on Saturday night to grab a 0-0 draw against one of their main competitors for the Liga MX title.
Monterrey Vs. America, 2012 Apertura: Final Score, Aguilas Solid In 0-0 Draw
America have mostly played with a back four under Miguel Herrera, but went to a back five to counter Monterrey's two talented strikers, Humberto Suazo and Aldo de Nigris. Neither was poor, but they also struggled to create scoring opportunities, as right back/midfielder Efrain Juarez played surprisingly well as a right central defender.
'Rolfi' Daniel Montenegro was the man of the match for America, with multiple shots on target. He got his club off to a strong start in both halves, forcing Javier Orozco into a save in the 2nd minute, then right after the halftime whistle in the 46th minute. He produced his team's best chance of the game in the 75th minute, when he beat Orozco with a long shot, but the ball curled away from the goal and bounced off the post.
Monterrey had most of the possession and a few half-chances, but most of their best efforts were blocked by defenders before they ever got to young Hugo Gonzalez, who looked composed in net. The Rayados’ best chance came in the 39th minute, when Suazo hit the crossbar with a fantastic strike. For the most part, they struggled to break down the America defense. Hopefully for Victor Manuel Vucetich, this was a one-match hiccup, as opposed to a look ahead into what life will be like in Monterrey without departed midfielder Luis Ernesto Perez.
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