Atlas 4 – 1 Necaxa: Spot in the Liguilla

By: Alan | April 12th, 2009

This is starting to get fun, the team is showing vision and has developed an individual form of attacking rhythm. The players are playing team football, there is no longer pressure on Marioni to be the saving grace of the team because everyone is contributing and this means Marioni can play more relaxed which is also helping the team. All of this helped Atlas to their 4-1 win over Necaxa who is trying to fight off relegation to stay in the Primera.

The game at el Jalisco started off fast paced and in the 12th minute el Turbo Vargas showed why he should be a starting player by scoring on a mid-range shot from the penalty marker. However, Necaxa would answer quickly and in the 19th minute Federico Insúa would tie things up for Necaxa.

Luckily, that’s the last bit of noise that Necaxa made for the remainder of the game. From then on it was all Atlas all the time starting with the goal by Ivan Pacheco in the 34th minute. Pacheco scored from a free kick in which Necaxa’s keeper seemed to dare Atlas to shoot at goal, giving away most of his far post.

Now I said that Pacheco was a player to watch way back before the clasico tapatio and I hope you start watching now if you haven’t been. Pacheco has claimed his spot on the starting roster mostly because he seems to be able to make goals, he’s had a couple from the free kick and isn’t afraid to shoot from far off.

If Vargas’ goal in the 12th minute showed why he belonged on the starting eleven, his goal in the 46th minute demanded it. El Turbo eluded a sliding defender and then gave Necaxa defender Quatrocchi what I’m calling the “I go this way you go that way” as Vargas passed the ball on the left side of Quatrocchi while he ran by his ride side, the result was a very silly looking defender, a frozen goalie, and a goal for Atlas.

Marioni wrapped things up by converting on a penalty that he earned himself. Marioni took the penalty shot like you’re supposed to, down and close to the post. This gave the Necaxa keeper no chance of a save even though he guessed right on the direction.

In the end it was a thorough victory for Atlas and I don’t think any true member of la fiel thinks it’s too early to start wondering:

“is this the year?”

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