The last general place speaks for itself. Puebla, as the worst team of the tournament in the Clausura 2017, only scored four victories and 16 points were the result of this team. Figures that, definitely, will have to be reversed in the next Apertura 2017.
The task that Rafael García will have for this tournament will be to go and search, just with what it takes, to move away as much as possible from the relegation zone, so that then the team can think about the playoffs, an instance in which they have only qualified once in what has been this decade so far.
Puebla is not a team that has a very deep squad. It has what it takes. With this, it will have to fight in the following 34 matchdays of the football year.
It still seems that La Franja has not recovered from the loss of Matías Alustiza. And that's the truth. The team has Jerónimo Amione and Federico González as two of its most profitable players, this after the departure of players such as Robert Herrera, Carlos Orrantia, and Christian Campestrini. Likewise, in case he stays, Canelo is one of the team's strong cards.
In the defense, Moisés Muñoz will be in charge of defending La Franja on this occasion, a team that was his direct rival for permanence until a few months ago. Erik Pimentel will reinforce the defense.
Although the 13th place in the relegation table has, artificially, kept you out of the red zone of relegation, the percentage is very volatile: that is the reality that Puebla lives with.
Its battle year after year, for several years now, is to fight against this problem that seems chronic. Positive results have to come from the beginning for the team from the city of Puebla.
If that is not the case, the percentage will decrease and the problems will increase, so they will begin to depend on third parties. To become strong at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc and get as many points as possible as visitors. That's the mission.
It seems difficult for Puebla to qualify for the playoffs, their priority is to move away as much as possible from the relegation zone. After that, the good results and a possible qualification could come.
If Canelo stays, Puebla's bet is to attack through the wings; 100% verticality. Only play with one defensive midfielder and four men in the defense. González would be the axis of attack.
Muñoz; Míguez, Rojas, Pimentel, Gutiérrez; Canelo, Venegas, González, Arizala; Escoboza, Amione. Head coach Rafael García.
If Canelo leaves, the proposal would be a bit more conservative. In his place, Toledo or Torres would enter as the second defensive midfielder. Other than that, the others would remain and the approach could even allow for playing with a third center back. Navarro would be the starting striker in this case.
Muñoz; Toledo, Amione, Gutiérrez, Vengas, Rojas; Arizala, Pimentel, Míguez; Navarro, Torres. Head coach Rafael García.