Player Ratings: Chivas vs. Atlas, Apertura 2016

El Clásico Tapatío saw both sides share the spoils in a 2-2 draw on a very rainy Saturday night in the sixth match date of the 2016 Apertura at the Estadio Omnilife.

Ángel Zaldívar gave El Rebaño’s fans something to cheer about when he took advantage of a missed tackle from an Atlas defender and slotted the ball just inside the right post to give his side the 1-0 lead. The 32nd minute strike was Zaldívar’s second goal in as many games: he also notched the winner against Santos in Chivas’ 1-0 win.

Atlas quickly came back and tied the game in the 41st minute when Flavio Santos managed to squeak what appeared to be a low cross between Rodolfa Cota and the near post. Prior to this, Cota made a couple of risky plays including one that culminated in a collision with Santos. Atlas took the lead with a Martín Barragán header in the 51st minute.

Chivas’ fortunes changed in the 66th minute when Atlas’ Luis Reyes brought down Jesús Sánchez inside the box, conceding a penalty. Zaldívar kept his cool and converted to tie the game at 2-2. He nearly earned Chivas the lead in the 70th minute when he won the ball over in the box and forced a save from Atlas goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.

The game ended as a 2-2 draw with both sides sharing points. In terms of stock, Zaldívar certainly seems to have raised his along with his confidence, but that of Carlos “Gullit” Peña seems to have dropped significantly. He entered the previous game as a substitute, but was not seen at all in this encounter.

One note of concern is the nature of Orbelín Pineda’s substitution as he was seen limping prior to being taken out in the 79th minute.

Matías Almeyda has to organize his side for Copa MX action on Wednesday the 24th against Tapachula, but also has to look to the Clásico Nacional against America in the Estadio Azteca next Saturday, August 27th.

Rodolfo Cota: 5

Carlos Salcedo: 7.5

Jair Pereira: 7.5

Edwin Hernández: 6.5

Jesús Sánchez: 7

Javier López: 6.5

Orbelín Pineda: 5.5

Ángel Zaldívar: 8

Carlos Cisneros: 7

Isaác Brizuela: 6

Michael Pérez: 6

Substitutes:

Nestor Calderón: 6.5

Marco Bueno: 6

José Juan Vázquez: 6.5