Guillermo Vasquez finds flexibility in Pumas

Following a string of four straight defeats for Pumas UNAM, optimism has surged into what was once a seemingly dire campaign. After pressure mounted on several key figures within the club, Guillermo Vasquez took over managerial duties a third into the season. Now the club has accomplished 8 points out of 12 possible since his appointment.

Vasquez is certainly no stranger to Pumas, having won the last league title obtained by the club. His familiarity with the team helps, but his introduction in the middle of the season to a team he took no part in building puts him in a tricky position like most managers in this situation. With no shortage of attackers, but with a lack of depth in other key positions, Guillermo Vasquez has to do with what he has. Surprisingly, it is working.

Rather than finding these positional issues limiting, Vasquez has unearthed a certain flexibility to his team. David Cabrera has been instructed to lead the midfield now with Leandro Augusto playing a wider role. Despite Leandro's age, he has been a pillar for this team. He has not only provided defensive support for Ludueña, the creative force in the team, but he has been influential on the attacking side of the game.

Dante Lopez has been equally as impressive since his reintroduction to the starting lineup. Dante's movement in and out the box has been admiring for a player that garnered much criticism from some fans. He is more than happy in taking a wider role when Leandro needs to take a more central position, and he has bagged a couple goals already when partnering Eduardo Herrera on the left hand side of the team's striker partnership.

Perhaps surprisingly, with a team full of foreign attackers, it has been the Mexican Eduardo Herrera who has been given the confidence to be the target man. Herrera has responded positively with goals in all tournament fronts for Pumas.

On the other hand, the Argentine Ismael Sosa has openly confessed his preference in playing as a striker instead of a winger. Despite his confession, he has three goals already, and Vasquez seems unwilling to give him his central role as long as his output as a winger is as effective.

One of the issues that Vasquez is facing is the fact that team isn't getting any younger. Ludueña and Leandro Augusto often have difficulty completing the full 90 minutes. However, in Martin Romagnoli, Pumas have found the perfect utility man. Romagnoli partnered up with Cabrera in the midfield against Morelia, but replaced Leandro out wide vs. Tigres. He'd much prefer a starting role like he has in the past, instead of coming in and out the bench, but Romagnoli could prove to be vital going forward in Vasquez's overall scheme in what remains of the Apertura.

Barring a catastrophic end to the season for Pumas, Vasquez is likely to stay at the helm whether the team qualifies to the liguilla or not. Deeper squad problems remain, and some players are likely to make an exit come January.

In addition, failure to address the left back position with Velarde's exit to Monterrey has caused Pumas problems despite Luis Fernando Fuentes's familiarity with that position in the past. The often controversial defensive duo of Palacios and Veron will need some rejuvenating soon. Jose Van Rankin has looked timid at times, after consolidating himself as the team's right back when he is preferred as a defensive midfielder for Mexico youth teams.

For now, those are just subjects to analyze at the conclusion of the season as the team still remains with a legitimate chance at qualifying to the liguilla. More than anything, Vasquez has brought back a familiar tranquility to the club. Something that other big teams in Mexico are struggling with at the moment.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Disqus