The RingMaster

February 2004

The surroundings that Zander Zitero now finds himself in give him the distinct feeling of granduer. All around he can feel eyes on him, and as he looks down at his arms he can see that he is holding a football, presumably he was to do something with this, although since he had no prior knowledge of how he came to be here, he wasn‘t quite sure what he was supposed to do with it. As he looks at his clothing he can see that he is also wearing an América (MEX) kit, complete with the stitching of ‘Hombre en la Oscuridad Vs América (MEX) - Copa Libertadores Grand Final’.

If we drift out of the grasp of Zander Zitero’s overactive subconscious we can take a moment to note that we are simply spending the rather tedious journey to Venezuela observing Zander Zitero’s dreamwor…..no, that’s naïve and presumptious, let’s call it a different World.

Zander must have spent about 2 minutes standing, paralysed with wonder, observing his surroundings. He was in a massive bowl of a Stadium, filled to absolute capacity, but also filled with that familiar hushed awe which was often present when Zander had possesion of a football.

The tapping of the referees watch, combined with him occasionly pointing to the penalty spot told Zander Zitero what he must do. As he walked manfully towards the penalty spot he took a moment to look at the scoreboard: ‘0-0; 92 Mins’. “This is it”, Zander Zitero said to himself under his breath, and he placed the ball on the penalty spot, “What I’ve been waiting for all my days in this futile life, I am going to win the Copa Libertadores”.

As Zander Zitero began his run up the Goalkeeper facing him began to cackle, he was howling in fact, and coinciding with this sudden burst of hysterics everything was beginning to spin inside Zander Zitero‘s head; Zander Zitero - naturally assuming the nerves were playing tricks on him - shut his eyes, before opening them again, hoping this corrected the problem. However, when he opened his eyes again everything was gone; he was in this massive floodlit arena all by himself - except from the shadow that was creeping up behind him.

“You didn’t think it would be that easy? Did You?”, more cackling followed. Zander didn’t need to turn around, he knew who it was, it was always the same person, he simply gave a pre-emptive grimace. And then they came, the vicious strikes with that bat, as fresh and real as they were in Mexico City on that fateful night.”

Zander Zitero snapped out of the other World with a scream that amused some of the players, although, to be fair, they did not witness what we did, and if they did we can be sure the would not be so quick in their giggling.

Whether it was the Vulture-like embodiments of European journalism of the man in the shadows, sleep was not a pleasant experience for Zander Zitero.

Zander’s eyes were bloodshot, and he was profusely sweating, it was always the same in the aftermath of him running into the man in the shadows; the man that he saw in all shadows, what ever World he was inhabiting; the man who slipped out once to ruin his career before slipping back into the shadows; the man who - Zander hopes with all his heart - will step out into the light one day…….

“We shall be landing in Caracas in around 10 minutes”

…………..not that he is likely to be residing in Caracas.

The RingMaster

February 2004

Now, if you considered what we witnessed inside Zander Zitero’s head a nightmare, then you should brace yourself for a real nightmare. That nightmare was horribly evident by the people stepping of the jet when América (MEX) touched down in Venezuela’s capital, or rather, by the people not stepping off the jet in Caracas. You see, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Pavel Pardo, German Villa, Franscisco Javier Esteche, Reinaldo Navia, and Antonio de Nigris - in short - América (MEX), are on international duty today.

So Zander Zitero arrives for what is one of the biggest matches in the continental calendar with his best players off playing freindlies. Nevertheless, Zander Zitero has suffered, and continues to suffer, much worse fates in everyday life than this, and he is trying with all his might to try and get a squad - which is brutally inexperienced - in the right frame of mind to win a match in arguably the biggest club competition on the Planet.

……….but, ladies and gentleman, you’re captain: Number 5 - Duilio Davino \o/.

Every cloud and all that.

The return of the inspirational captain after too many months out would no doubt give the team a boost, and make Zander Zitero’s job a little easier, but, as the eleven jumbled together players left the dressing room, our partial, common sense blessed instincts tells us that a team fielding de la Cuesta in holding mildield, and Chuy Mendoza up front are bound to struggle.


11/2/04

(Copa Libertadores, Group E, Match #1) / Caracas Vs América (MEX) / Brigido Ariarte, Caracas

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 1st | | América (MEX) | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 2nd | | Caracas | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 3rd | | Emelec | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 4th | | River | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Wederson, DR - Gonzalez, DC - Davino (c), DC - Rojas; DMC - de la Cuesta, ML - Patino, MR - Azuara, AMC - Ortiz; SC - Zepeda, SC - Mendoza

A makeshift side put together at the last minute, competing in the Copa Libertadores were only ever going to react one of a couple of ways: either they would see this as an invaluable chance to show their worth and everyone would come good; or they would freeze up due to nerves, occasion, and lack of football. The former sounded like the better option to Zander Zitero.

Even assuming the team did gel well, no-one could have predicted the stunning start América (MEX) made to the game. With a minute just gone by on the clock, Patino made a good break down the left hand side, before cutting a nice ball back to the edge of the area; and although his usual left side competition, Chuy Mendoza, still had a lot to do, he managed to place a wonderfully cultured effort beyond the reach of 4 Times Capped Venezuelan keeper Javier Toyo and give the away side a stunning early lead.

This seemed to spur on the away side, and they continued to dominate Caracas who were looking rather void of ideas. This dominance was consummated in the most bizarre of fashions when Christian Patino - who was proving a real handful on the left hand side - attempted a long looping cross; what was an extremely poor cross in mid-air, transformed into a moment of inspiration by the time it had amazingly nestled in the net behind Javier Toyo, who was impatiently waiting for the ground to swallow him up.

If you had offered Zander Zitero a two goal lead after 15 minutes before the match then you would be in hospital recuperating from a freshly bitten off hand. In truth, though, this match was not as tough a contest as Zander Zitero imagined it would be, with the home side simply not getting a hold of the ball, and certainly not looking like they were about to create anything in a hurry, and only one team looked like they would go on and add some more names onto the score sheet.

Chances for Zepeda (2), Ortiz and Azuara all preceeded the third goal, which came just before half time, through a source that was identified as a potential weakness pre-Kick off . Wederson played a short, snappy ball to the feet of José Julián de la Cuesta - who was enjoying his license to showcase his ability in midfield - who drove forward; past the half way line, still they backed off; approaching the box, still the backed off; and as if insulted by this lack of urgency to take the ball of him de la Cuesta lashed a thunderous effort from 20 yards which flew straight into the top corner past a stricken Javier Toyo, who could only watch as a strike which will be hard to beat in the whole competition, flew past him.

With a composed, professional, and at times, downright superb first half performance under their belts it is little surprise that Zander Zitero did not dare make any changes for the second half; instead, decided simply to send out the players with the immensely profound advice of ‘don’t throw this away’ ringing in their ears.

Zander Zitero did have to make a change after a few minutes after half time when Ricardo Rojas appeared to fall awkwardly; on a day like this a injury could be a catastrophe, but luckily defence is one position Zander does have cover in - bringing on Christian Ramirez for the stricken Chilean.

The slight disappointment of losing Rojas was simply a prelude to something altogether more pleasant, as, only 3 minutes after Rojas was taken off, América (MEX) put some icing on this deliciously successful Copa Libertadores Cake. The goal came through the - when everyone is fit - probably the 4th choice player for behind the strikers, but despite this Alvaro Ortiz seized the opportunity when he was fed clean through by Azuara after a nice passing move, firing hard and low into the bottom corner of Javier Toyo’s net.

A little while later Zander saw fit to remove Duilio Davino - tiring and on a booking - from the field of play, replacing him with Salinas. With Davino, who perhaps more than any other man, is América (MEX) receiving a rapturous reception as he left the field of play, handing the armband to Alberto Becerra.

At kick-off time the América (MEX)’s defence was arguably the only third of their team which was not makeshift; that could not be said any more with Salinas and Ramirez occupying central defensive berths. Hence with that, and the fact América (MEX) were leading 4-0, in mind it was no surprise when Caracas began to assert some pressure on the dominant away side; and after Becerra made a couple of good saves in the last ten minutes, Caracas finally beat the temporary captain through Oscar Marino Echeverry, although with the goal coming in the 89th minute it was not a goal that would change the direction the 3 points were heading, nor would it play too heavy on Zander Zitero’s mind tonight as he sat, contented and proud with his cobbled together team’s performance, attempting to get some sleep on the plane back to Mexico City.

Caracas (Echeverry 89) 1 - 4 América (MEX) (Mendoza 1; Patino 13; de la Cuesta 45; Ortiz 53)


Other Group E Result:

River Plate (Coudet 9; Montenegro 13; Lequi 16; Dominguez 56) 4 - 0 Emelec

The RingMaster

February 2004

Momentum is, rightly, repeated all the time as a vital ingredient to achieving success in this crowded Mexican campaign. So Zander Zitero must now be delighted with the three wins his side have charted in the last three games, and he’ll be looking for his side to make it 4 wins on the trot as they travel to play Jaguares.

We may have mentioned the lack of star names in the Jaguares team when they travelled to the Azteca in the Opening Stage, and that is still the case, however their 52 year old Coach José Luis Trejo has them working for one and other, making them a very difficult team to beat; as reflected by their 7th place finish in the Opening Stage and their current 8th place in the Closing Stage Championship, meaning the comparitive minnows can see themselves as real contenders to take all three points.

While there may be a lack of star attractions in the home dressing room, that is not the case in the away one. With América (MEX) welcoming back all their midweek international absentees, and despite the successful night the replacements had in Venezuela, Zander Zitero has chosen seniority and pedigree for tonights impending match to try and keep this fine run going, and to try and keep América (MEX) climbing up the ladder.

(Incedentally, Pardo, de Nigris, Blanco, Villa and future star Oswaldo Sanchez all took part in a 2-0 win over Australia in Denver, with Carlos Ochoa and Gerardo Torrado grabbing the goals. Franscisco Javier Esteche had an dull night, coming on as a 71st minute substitute in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador. While Reinaldo Navia started up front for Chile in a 1-1 draw with England, with a penalty from South American Player of the year Claudio Andrés Maldonado cancelling out a Michael Owen opener).

As the teams start off down the tunnel we should perhaps take a moment to note that as with all good football matches there is the odd sub plot stretching from the main story of this match, firstly, Jaguares did beat América (MEX) when the two sides met at the Azteca, plus this being Duilio Davino’s first League match back, and this being Antonio de Nigris’ return to action there should be plenty to keep an eye on as the action unfolds.


14/2/04

(Mexican First Division, Closing Stage, Match #6)/ Jaguares Vs América (MEX) /
Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna, Tuxtla Gutiérrez

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Grp | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 5th | 2nd | América (MEX) | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 9 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 8th | 3rd | Jaguares | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 7 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Wederson, DR - Gonzalez, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Davino; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Azuara, AMC - Blanco; SC - Navia, SC - de Nigris

Jaguares certainly started this match like a team who believed they could repeat their victory in the Opening Stage, and bring down the Mexico City Goliaths for the second time this season. This was so plain to see because they showed América (MEX) no respect whatsoever from the very first whistle, hustling and harrying them to win possession, and they had even come close top breaking the deadlock after 2 minutes when Lucio Filomeno fired just wide from the edge of the box.

However, after this initial burst of enthusiasm, and after coming close to scoring a few times, Jaguares almost seemed to hit the wall. Which is peculiar for a professional football team; especially after only 10 minutes. Nevertheless, that is the only real explanation for the complete and utter dominance Zander Zitero’s side began to enjoy over their opponent who looked so impressive early on.

This is where we could say that the gap between ‘Limited but tries really hard’ and ‘Class’ becomes evident, as América (MEX) managed to turn their pressure into a goal almost immediately after they gained the territorial upper hand. It came with 10 minutes on the clock, through Reinaldo Navia (the big striker showing the form that saw him described as a ‘constant threat’ and receiving an ‘9’ from the Santiago Press in midweek) who fired the ball into the roof of the net after being played clean through superbly by Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who was back in his more accustomed role after a few games up front for América (MEX) and Mexico in midweek.

If Jaguares ‘Hit the Wall’ after 10 minutes, then we can only presume they spent the next 80 minutes writhing around in agony, because they made no visible attempt to grit their teeth and get a result. Consequentially, as is inevitable against a side of América (MEX)’s quality, Zitero’s men continued to push forward and after a squandered chance by Antonio de Nigris they did finally manage to double their lead. The second goal came through the superb Cuauhtémoc Blanco, although it was without the usual class of the man going through the most purplest of patches, with the Mexican star simply heading in - unmarked - from the penalty spot from a superb Chuy Mendoza cross.

América, Vulture-like (although Zander will not thank us for that reference), smelled blood and brutally went in for the kill, and swiftly carried it out. Time of Death: 15:30. Indeed, only 30 minutes into a game which began with such promise for the 15,000 home fans and it was already over as a contest through the 3rd América (MEX) goal. The gleeful recipient of some modest defending was Antonio de Nigris, who had the relatively simple task of placing the ball past Humberto Martinez from about 10 yards out, after being played through by a ludicrously simple Pavel Pardo pass which carved up the Jaguares central defence. Not that Antonio de Nigris was bothered about how easy their defence was split open; he had a point to prove, and that cool finish was a good baby step towards proving that point.

When a team is leading 3-0 after half an hour and the game becomes stagnant it is always difficult to tell whether the winning team has eased off; or whether the losing team has just solidifies. And let’s not trouble or minds over what one of those options happened in this match, we can simply be sure that Jaguares were happy to hear the half time whistle.

Although the whistle to begin the second half wasn’t so pleasant for Jaguares, as it heralded nothing but further misery; illustrated only two minutes into the second half, although if you are an América (MEX) fan or a neutral the fourth goal was a thing of true beauty. Pavel Pardo made a tenacious tackle in midfield, as is so typical of the man, before striding forward with the ball; he played a beautiful one-two with Juan Manuel Azuara, and this brought Pardo to the edge of the area, at which point he provided a stunning reverse through ball to Blanco, putting Blanco clean through; and Blanco provided the fitting ending to a picture book goal by faking to shoot, before skipping around a dazzled Humberto Martinez and rolling the ball into a goal as gaping as the mouths which witnessed the undoubtedly superb team goal.

Rather predictably, after what should be a goal of the month contender - although it won’t be, too many jammy 30 yard stunner’s on this side of the planet - América (MEX) visibly eased off the pedal, presumably preserving some energy for the midweek game. In saying that, even in this state of energy preservation América (MEX) did manage to cross the border into Routsville with the 5th goal; coming through Antonio de Nigris who glanced in a surprisingly cultured header in to the corner of the Jaguares net from an Azuara corner to grab his first brace for his new club, and send the game into hibernation until the full time whistle.

Jaguares 0 - 5 América (MEX) (Navia 10; Blanco 23, 47; de Nigris 30, 62)


If you discount the first 10 minutes of this match, then you would have a case for suggesting that this match was the most impressive performance since Zander Zitero became manager of América (MEX); the front 3 were a constant menace and worked like a well oiled machine; Pardo ran the game from the base of the diamond; the wingers were a constant threat; and Wederson showed some real attacking endeavour down the left hand side.

In fact, if we drift though time, we can see in the Sunday press Wederson, Blanco, de Nigris, Navia, and Pardo would all receive ’9’ ratings or over, one paper even lavished praise upon the broad shoulders of Cuauhtémoc Blanco, stating - rather sycophantically - that they were running out of superlatives for him.

If superlatives are still in order after Wednesday night then he will be an absolute hero. As will Zander Zitero.

Tsar

Great story Ringmaster, one of the best. I'm new to it but read it all in one sitting. You have educated me in Mexican football. This story is destined for lengandrt status.

The RingMaster

February 2004

Preview: América (MEX) Vs River Plate

From the moment Zander Zitero walked into the lobby of the Estadio Azteca, flanked by Journalists and Cameramen, as the new América (MEX) manager, he has been waiting for the kind of match which is to occur this week. It has been re-iterated since the beginning of this tale that Zander see’s the Copa Libertadores as the big tamale, and with all due respect to Caracas of Vernezuela, this week we shall get a true reading of whether or not his América (MEX) side are truly ready to compete at this level of competition.

Without wishing to pander to the pessimists, the return match in this group has been somewhat written off, with the consensus among most people ‘in the know’ being that the América (MEX) squad, and coaching staff is simply too inexperienced to get something out of a trip to ‘The Monumental’, and our common sense tells us we should be inclined to agree. Nevertheless - and despite River also enjoying slight ‘Favourites’ status with the bookies for this one too - the match at the Azteca is seen as a much more even contest, as is evident with one look at the Press, as well as the supporters themselves.

Quotes such as ‘Crest of a Wave’, ‘Now or Never’, and ‘One Goliath shall be Slain’ have been in evidence all week in the lead up to the game. The general noises eminating from the major publications seem to be that after 4 wins on the trot América (MEX) have the wind in their sails and have a good chance of defeating the mighty River Plate; and when that is contrasted with the fact River Plate have only played one match - against Emelec - in the last 2 Months due to the fact their Closing Stage Championship has not yet begun, you cannot help but gain confidence.

The supporters of the home side are predictably upbeat regarding Wednesday night, infact they are convinced their side will come out victorious. That is illustrated by the fact that the main Mexican Sports News Channel went out onto the street to gauge the feelings of the fans in the run up to the game in midweek and they ended up having to cut half of the comments, as the América (MEX) legions were so buoyant and confident that airing all these comments would have left them open to the paranoid ranting’s of jelous Necaxa supporters, accusing the station of being ‘nothing but an América (MEX) fanzine’.

For a more level headed view of the match on Wednesday, we need not look any further than the man relaxing in his reclining chair in the Manager’s office in the Azteca. Zander Zitero is well aware of the threat posed by the World renound Argentineans. Indeed, his side has recorded four wins on the bounce, but Caracas, Jaguares, Pachuca and Atlante are not even in the same Galaxy as River Plate. You know, for a moment I think we can even forgive Zander Zitero a little selfishness, he is still seen as inexperienced and naïve in some quarters, and a victory on Wednesday night could go some way to establishing his reputation; and on Wednesday he only needs to look across dugout’s to see what he’s aiming for.

Not only have River Plate got a Galaxy of stars - Cavenaghi, Gonzalez, Lequi, Gallardo, C.Ayala, Maxi Lopez etc. - but they also possess a noteworthy manager. Ramón Diaz is the reigning South American Manager of the Year as of this January, and he would provide a gargantuan scalp for the comparitive rookie that is Zander Zitero if he could orchestrate a famous victory, and subsequently go a long way to qualifying for the latter stages of this prestigious competition.

Predicted Line-Ups:

América (MEX)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> BecerraCastro Davino de la Cuesta Wederson PardoAzuara Mendoza Blanco ¦ ¦ ¦ v Navia de Nigris</pre>


River Plate:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Costanzo Ayala Crosa LequiFernandez Viverscas ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ V Gallardo Gonzalez V Montenegro ¦ ¦ ¦ v Maxi Lopez Cavenaghi</pre>

Looking at the Newspapers, the Manager, the probable line-ups, the América (MEX) fans, will certainly give us an idea as to what the general view about the match is, but in truth - aa with all football matches, especially one of this scale - all this will be rendered null and void when the whistle is blown on Wednesday evening and the responsibility falls onto the laps of the 22 players inside a packed Estadio Azteca.

Join us there.

abu645

KUTGW :cool: good luck against River!

PMLF

América vs River; Las Águilas vs Los Millonarios. It certainly will be a great game. :thup:

The RingMaster

*Tsar & tafta: Thanks very much, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed thus far.

*abu645: Luck is certainly one thing that will have to be in abundance for a good result, time will tell if any of the other factors needed are present for a shock.

*PMLF: Good to have you still reading along mate, and we’ll soon see if América (MEX) Vs River lives up to the billing.

February

It would usually be around this time that we would be serenely drifting around the annals of the Azteca stadium, taking in some of the atmosphere which, tonight, is at it’s most potent. However, given the amount of attention and build up which has already been afforded to this encounter already, it would probably be tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment to the reader to procrastinate any further.

Instead, let us simply take the astounding atmosphere being created by the crowd inside the Estadio Azteca, which is certainly the centre of attention on a picturesque Mexico City night which boasts a clear, starry night, with just a refreshing bite in the air, all in all a very pleasant, welcoming night - not at all mirroring the picture inside the stadium. For the first time in this season the crowd inside this cathedral of football has peaked above 80,000. Indeed, 84,000 people have packed this stadium, bringing it as close to capacity as it is likely to get until this fine nation once again hosts a World Cup or a Copa América - or of course until América (MEX) reach the Copa Libertadores Final. This attendance not only looks great on paper, and is a testament to those ever supportive and loyal group of fans who only turn up for the massive fixtures, but it is also providing an extremely intimidating atmosphere - the customary flares are being set off, and the subsequently smoggy air is filled with songs and rallying cries from the legions who are at the peak of their passion tonight.

Booming, piercing whistles are the latest noise emanating from the home fans’ mouths, for the River Plate side have just taken to the field, Celso Ayala leading his troops out onto the battlefield; and that is certainly an appropriate analogy as coins and bottles (some of the latter, ironically, presumably from the same company that sponsors the away side) rained down upon the visitors. All of which is hardly something to be applauded, but certainly does add to the spectacle.

That is in severe contrast to the scene only minutes later as the adored home side, led out by Duilio Davino, made it’s way onto the pitch. They were greeted with the band striking up, a chorus of the fans’ favourite little ditty, combined with yellow and black ticker tape temporarily making the sky above the Azteca as captivating as ground level. The amazing level of noise being generated by the massive crowd shows no signs of waning, even as the formalities of the handshakes take place; there is a massive roar as the two teams break apart and head for their respective ends. Zander Zitero already paces.

Franco Costanzo has a hostile welcome, his goalmouth has received pre-emptive littering of bottles, paper cups, coins etc, and the unpleasant truth is that while this level of adrenaline keeps up amongst the home fans, the Argentinean goalkeeping star would be safest about 10-12 yards off his line. However, at this moment in time the action has not yet moved to the goalmouths yet, all eyes are on the centre circle as Reinaldo Navia and Antonio de Nigris prepare to kick-off.

The Azteca erupts as América (MEX) kick off.


18/2/04

(Copa Libertadores, Group E, Match #2) / América (MEX) Vs River Plate / Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 1st | | River | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 2nd | | América (MEX) | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 3rd | | Caracas | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 4th | | Emelec | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Wederson, DR - Castro, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Davino; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Azuara, AMC - Blanco; SC - Navia, SC - de Nigris

Predictably the cauldron-like atmosphere inside the Azteca made for an extremely tense and ultimately rather dull opening, not that you would have guessed that from looking at the fans who were singing and cheering every pass made in the early stage by their home heroes.

Despite this unwavering support for the home side the match, as it progressed, began to possess the ominous air of a match in which class was beginning to show over passion and work rate. This was perfectly illustrated with 15 minutes on the clock, as some great work in the midfield by former Monaco star Marcelo Gallardo and Daniel Montenegro saw Maxi Lopez played through on goal, and despite back tracking defenders and an ever narrowing angle the young talented striker managed to force a smart save from an alert Alberto Becerra.

Glimpses of attacking prowess from the home side were fleeting; with only a long range effort from Pardo and a curling free-kick from Juan Manuel Azuara making any sort of threat on Franco Costanzo’s substantially littered goalmouth. Other than those half chances River Plate were bossing things.

Ramón Diaz’s side continued to boss things as the half progressed, Marcelo Gallado had an notable effort which flashed just past Becerra’s right hand post. River’s ‘Number 10’, Daniel Montenegro was also proving a lot more of a handful in the floating role than his counterpart in an América (MEX) shirt, cleverly linking midfield to attack, and in doing so, creating several chances for Cavenaghi and Lopez, who, thankfully for Zander Zitero, were being uncharacteristically wasteful in this first half.

This pressure finally came to a head just minutes from half time. Daniel Montenegro - who will presumably be man marked by Pardo in the second half after this showing - slipped through a glorious pass to Fernando Cavenaghi; the Argentina internationalist, who had passed up a couple of decent chances, decided he fancied going round Becerra just to make sure this time, and he did an exemplary job of it, before being dragged to the ground by the stricken Mexican goalkeeper, leaving Senor Manuel de Madieros little option but to give the penalty. Amazingly Alberto Becerra stayed on the park, with the referee presumably seeing the men racing onto the line preventing it from being seen as a professional foul. Although Becerra had little effect when the penalty was taken; Fernando Cavenaghi stepped up, struck the ball high and up the middle, sending Becerra diving the wrong way - but amazingly the ball smashed off the bar and bounded off for a throw in.

That penalty miss from the most unlikely of culprits sent the home fans and team alike into the half time with an upbeat attitude which they had no right to possess given the mauling they took in the first period. Nevertheless, despite the River dominance, the home support never died down for a minute, and that twelfth man could make all the difference in the second period.

No changes from either side took place at half time, although from looking at the opening minutes of the second half we can see that, as we assumed, Zander Zitero does possess the tactical nous to stick Pavel Pardo to Daniel Montenegro, with the obvious objective of nullifying this very talented young playmaker.

However, the one way traffic continued; this was not a side with one good player who you could mark out of the game, attacks came down the flanks from Viverscas and Fernandez, the came through incisive play of Gallardo, as well as the considerable - if surprisingly wasteful - talents of Fernando Cavenaghi and Maxi Lopez.

As the second period continued at least one América (MEX) player was receiving pass marks. Alberto Becerra - mind bogglingly lucky to still be on the field - was really showing on the continental stage what we have seen all through the Opening Stage, and thus far in the Closing Stage, as he denied decent efforts from Gallardo and Cavenaghi. However, all the saves were excelled on the hour mark when Viverscas got to the bye-line, the Colombian full back managed a fantastic pull back to round about the penalty spot to Daniel Montenegro; the youngster took one touch before drilling a great shot towards the bottom corner of the net; but somehow Alberto Becerra managed to plunge down to that corner and superbly palm away Montenegro’s effort, leaving everyone in the Azteca incredibly relieved, not least Pavel Pardo who had evidently momentarily forgot his number one objective in this half.

With River Plate looking for the final push and exerting all the pressure they could muster you could forgive the home crowd for growing nervous and quiet; however, all thoughts of that were banished as Zander Zitero introduced Diego Encarnación in place of the ineffectual - as many of the attacking players in América (MEX) jerseys were - Antonio de Nigris. This brought every one of the 84,000 crowd to their feet in anticipation of someone to liven up the affair from an América (MEX) perspective. They were not too bothered if the kid was only just back from an injury and only 78% fit.

It would have been cruel for River to break the deadlock just as the América (MEX) fans had been given renewed cause for belief; and that is almost exactly what happened. Gallardo whipped in a fantastic corner, which Matias Lequi managed to leap higher than Davino and get a strong header on to it, for once Becerra was stranded, and like everyone else in the stadium he watched as the ball crashed off the bar for a second time in this match. To the optimists in the Azteca it was ‘our night’; to the pessimist’s it was ‘a matter of time’. Going into the last ten minutes there was certainly no-one predicting a draw.

River Plate had been unanimous winner’s of the midfield battle, and this was in effect again as they launched another attack. Luis Gonzalez played a nice ball up towards Maxi Lopez; but to his credit José Julián de la Cuesta was quick to nip in and nick possession, before launching a delightful ball up to Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Blanco had, up to this point had a completely insignificant part in this match, but as Diego Encarnación bolted through the heart of a dishevelled River defence, not ready for a rare counter attack, Blanco had the chance to string one of his trademark classy through balls. Indeed, that is exactly what he did, threading the ball perfectly between Crosa and Ayala - arms went up; flag didn’t. Diego Encarnación - not 18 until April, - with 5 minutes left against River Plate, was now one on one with Franco Costanzo…….

………Time was going in slow motion as Diego Encarnación prepared to pull the trigger, 84,000 América (MEX) fans were not only on their feet, they were leaping up and down, Franco Costanzo had rushed out his goals and was making himself big - making himself a giant through the eyes of Diego Encarnación, however, this was ignored by the 17 year old as he admirably slammed the ball low and hard past the advancing Franco Costanzo to give América (MEX) an utterly criminal lead; although that did not matter a jot to the legions of fans jumping up and down, hugging and kissing strangers and making the kind of din that 10,000 pneumatic drills could only listen to in envy.

Gung Ho was now the ideology behind River Plate’s approach to the last 5 minutes, but their stars were now playing panicky football, and even on occasion resorting to just belting the ball up towards Cavenaghi and Lopez. This was all fodder for Zander Zitero’s 5-3-1-1 formation which was employed immediately after the goal was scored, and hence the clock ticked - albeit very slowly for everyone in the Azteca - down to an utterly improbably and fantastic victory for América (MEX).

América (MEX) (Encarnación 85) 1 - 0 River Plate


If we had drifted into the home dressing room at our usual time we would have found it very much empty; as the victorious players were out soaking up the adulation on a lap of honour. However, we were clever enough to take that into account, and as we drift into the home dressing room, a full 20 minutes after the full time whistle, there is singing; there is dancing; there is champagne - a surprising amount of champagne still left after the best part of two bottles was dumped of Diego’s head in celebration - all in all we are witnessing fantastic scenes. All the players are aware, as we are, that nothing is won yet, and with regard to the Copa Libertadores, nothing is likely to be won, but this is still a famous victory, and who are we to quell the celebrations.

It would normally be about now that we would look over to Zander Zitero, who would no doubt be thinking about the next match, or a new signing, or just generally being boring. Tonight that is not the case, all Zander’s thoughts are in the here and now, and as the boss sings and dances along with his player’s we can see a little glint in his eye - that’s pride.

At this moment in time Zander Zitero is thinking that it will be very hard to surpass this sense jubilation and achievement this season. The tragedy is: that will prove to be so true

PMLF

Good victory. :thup:

PMLF

Has this story been discontinued?