Pumas struggle with late-game management in Apertura 2026
Despite signs of improvement, Pumas are dropping points due to late-game fatigue and poor match management.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: ProtoplasmaKid
Despite showing clear footballing growth, Pumas have been unable to secure the results needed to guarantee their spot in the Liguilla. A recurring issue in the Apertura 2026 has been the team's poor match management during the final stages of games.
Head coach Esteban Solari recently pointed to a lack of physical stamina as a significant factor, especially after a demanding mid-week schedule. The coach admitted that the team is essentially running out of legs, forcing him to make substitutions that have not always been enough to maintain the team's intensity.
The team has been lacking legs. Esteban Solari
The numbers reflect this struggle, with Pumas conceding six goals in the final 15 minutes of their matches this tournament. Late goals against Cruz Azul and Tigres proved particularly costly, stripping the team of points that would have been vital for their current standing.
With only three matches left in the calendar, the margin for error is razor-thin. A positive result in this Friday's clash against Puebla is now essential to keep their Liguilla hopes alive.