Pachuca (pictured) celebrates after scoring against Atlas in a Liga MX Clausura match on February 14, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
PACHUCA, Mexico – After losing three of four matches to open the 2015 Liga MX Clausura, Pachuca seems to be experiencing a reversal of fortune and the potential turnaround’s timing couldn’t be better.
The Tuzos defeated Atlas 3-1 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten streak to two games, winning on the road for the first time in seven attempts. With the Impact de Montreal set to visit the Estadio Hidalgo on February 24 for a Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal, first leg encounter, the four-time Confederation champion is starting to gain momentum.
“I am happy about the result,” said forward Jurgen Damm, who registered a goal and an assist in the victory. “We knew that it would be difficult, but we knew how to counter our opponent and capitalize on the chances that we generated.”
Following a 2014 Apertura campaign that ended in elimination at the quarterfinal stage by Tigres, Pachuca ushered in coaching and roster changes. Veteran manager Enrique Meza was replaced by Diego Alonso, a 39-year-old Uruguayan, who enjoyed a long playing career on four continents.
An uneven start to the new season, however, appears to be giving way to optimism as evidenced by the triumph at Atlas. It was the most goals Pachuca had scored in a Liga MX outing since beating – you guessed it – Atlas, 3-1, on August 23, 2014, a span of 19 games.
“It was a good match,” Damm remarked. “I am satisfied with the assist and the goal, but this is a team effort, everyone did it. The manager [Alonso] always emphasizes team play above individuals and, in this match, we reflected what is worked on in training sessions.”
Prior to facing the Canadian champion, Pachuca (2-1-3, 7 points) will host Leon (2-2-2, 8 points) on Saturday. The Tuzos will look to win two straight for the first time since last October.
“It will be a difficult match because of the quality of their players,” Damm concluded. “They are a complete team. They have a very ingrained style, but we hope to be able to dictate play at home.”
