Monterrey were held to a 0-0 draw against Toluca Sunday night at the Estadio BBVA after squandering multiple chances in front of goal.
While we’re used to seeing Rayados dominate the chances made at home, it was actually the visitors who created the better looks at goal – but the Monterrey defense stood strong, with Esteban Andrada and Victor Guzman playing their parts to keep Toluca at bay and out of their net.
Luis Romo threaded an over-the-top through ball for German Beterame, who was barreling through on goal before being taken down in the box from behind by Toluca’s Federico Pereira. Referee Luis Santander showed Pereira a straight red card and pointed to the penalty spot, but the decision was reversed after a VAR review, with Pereira’s red card also being wiped off as boos rained down from the Rayados fans at the Estadio BBVA.
Jesus Gallardo, who was playing in a more advanced role as a wing-back rather than a left-back, found himself at the center of Toluca’s penalty area with a favorable look at goal after a deft cut-back from Gerardo Arteaga. But Gallardo’s left-footed effort sailed over the bar with the game still at a 0-0 deadlock.
The hosts thought they found the winning goal in stoppage time twice as Berterame headed home from close range but was caught offside. Romo found himself in the same position when he too found the back of the net via a headed effort, but a VAR check saw him meet the same fate as his teammate, with even more boos being belted out onto the pitch.
The draw sees Monterrey sit in third place in the Liga MX Clausura table with 15 points and still unbeaten through seven games played, while Toluca remain in ninth place with 10 points collected.
GK: Esteban Andrada – 7/10 – Made up for a teammate’s error with a fantastic close-range stop
RB: Erick Aguirre – 6/10 – Pulled off a last-ditch challenge to guide the ball into Andrada’s path when it seemed like Toluca were nailed on to score.
CB: Victor Guzman – 8/10 – Stepped in to make a vital interception early on and continues to look like a veteran center-back despite being just 21 years old.
CB: Hector Moreno – 6.5/10 – Was a little sloppy on the ball but managed to regain possession to make up for his errors.
LB: Gerardo Arteaga – 6.5/10 – Like his fellow defenders, he too stuck a foot in at a crucial moment to deny Toluca a shot at an open goal.
DM: Jorge Rodriguez – 7/10 – Started off rather shaky but improved as the game wore on.
DM: Luis Romo – 7.5/10 – Showed great anticipation various times to derail a potential counter attack for Toluca, stepping in to cut off passing lanes.
RM: Jordi Cortizo – 7.5/10 – Displayed great defensive work in tracking back and played a picture-perfect through ball that Gallardo should’ve done better with.
AM: Sergio Canales – 5/10 – Toluca did an excellent job in limiting him throughout the game by not allowing him much time on the ball.
LW: Jesus Gallardo – 5/10 – Had a minimal impact for most of the game and probably should’ve done better with two glorious chances he was presented with in the second half.
ST: German Berterame – 6.5/10 – Saw little service up front but at least drew what everyone thought was a penalty before the VAR review.
SUB: Jesus Corona (80′ for Arteaga) – 6/10 – Tried to make things happen around Toluca’s penalty area but it wasn’t enough.
SUB: Brandon Vazquez (80′ for Cortizo) – 6/10 – Did little to impact the game after coming on.
SUB: Maximiliano Meza (80′ for Canales) – N/A
Fernando ‘Tano’ Ortiz – 7.5/10 – Picked a strong and capable lineup that missed too many chances. His decision to take off Jordi Cortizo was interesting as he was one of Rayados’ better players throughout the match.
