The National University team will be indirectly affected by the winner of Clausura 2022, whether the Tuzos or the Zorros are the champions
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Aug 11, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Pumas UNAM head coach Andres Lillini talks with midfielder Washington Corozo (31) during the second half against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Liga MX Clausura 2022 tournament is ready to play its final series for the championship title with Pachuca and Atlas as the main protagonists. However, the duel between both squads and its outcome will have a third party involved who will be indirectly affected: the UNAM Pumas.
And regardless of which team manages to win the trophy, the result will have repercussions within the university. If the Tuzos manage to win the Grita México, they will reach seven championships and with that, they will match the record of the auriazules (which has already been reached and surpassed by Pachuca’s brother, the León).
On the other hand, if the Foxes manage to win the series, they will join an exclusive group of Mexican soccer teams, the two-time champions. If they win, Atlas would obtain their second consecutive crown after having managed to win the 2021 Apertura. Thus, the people of Jalisco would join the club that is already part of the Pumas and León, a feat that for a decade was a source of pride exclusively for those from Pedregal.
After winning the Apertura 2021, Atlas is going for the two-time championship in the Clausura 2022. Photo: Cuartoscuro
In reality, from the semifinal stage the Pumas would be affected in terms of numbers. The already eliminated Tigres and America would have also had repercussions on the statistics. If those from Nuevo León had won the semester, they would have surpassed those from the capital in terms of titles (tied with Léon). If America had won the tournament, the Auriazules’ main rival would have doubled the number of trophies.
From dream to nightmare
The still valid Clausura 2022 was quite a roller coaster for Pumas with a tragic ending. With episodes of ups and downs, Andrés Lillini’s team starred in exciting matches during the semester, such as the one lived in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League against the New England Revolution, where they recovered from a three-goal disadvantage.
However, by the end of the season in Liga MX, essential commitments were matched in the future of the teams: the Concachampions final and the playoff against Chivas de Guadalajara for a ticket to the league. Two great opportunities to make the Clausura 2022 historic were wasted by losing the title to the Seattle Sounders and being eliminated by the rojiblancos.
Second leg of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League. Photo: @TheChampions
Lillini renewed
The news of Pumas meets with the casualties of several elements such as José Rogeiro de Oliveira and Sebastián Saucedo, but above all with a more than relevant fact. And it is that Andrés Lillini was renewed as technical director of the team until December 2023.
“I am very happy, I am very grateful for the trust he has had in me and I am proud to continue belonging to this great team, which is Pumas. Also, I am pleased to receive a new opportunity to work to carry out the project of returning a championship to this great institution”, said the coach within the framework of his renewal.