Almeyda: "Cota has the level to go to the national team"

Matías Almeyda says it without hesitation. "Cota has the level to go to the national team" and not only the Pelado, but the entire rojiblanca structure sees in Rodolfo a reliable goalkeeper, who if everything goes well in December will stay for many years in the rojiblanco goal.

Meanwhile, a high-flying goalkeeper in the city

Óscar Ustari, a World Cup player and the promise of the blue arc back in 2005, is by far one of the best goalkeepers in the league and every weekend he proves his level under the three posts of the Zorros.

At 30 years old, Ustari shows a football maturity that makes him a reference for the rojinegros.

He has great reflexes, has the gift of positioning, and knows how to play in the box. In addition, he is a great penalty saver. Ustari gives Profe Cruz the calmness of knowing that the goalkeeper can win a game with his performances.

Osky, as they call him since his days in Independiente's youth team, has played all five games with Atlas and so far has conceded seven goals in the tournament. However, he has also been saving the Zorros' goal on several occasions, as he has made 15 saves so far, while receiving a goal every 66 minutes. Another aspect of Ustari is that he knows how to come out with the ball under control, with a total of 130 successful passes to his teammates.

On the other hand, Rodolfo Cota is experiencing his first breath as a professional at 29 years old.

Cota comes from one of the best schools in the country, a student of the late Miguel Calero, to whom he learned the art of goalkeeping. After Calero's death, the Pachuca leadership did not trust Rodolfo, who moved to Puebla where he was able to accumulate minutes and regularity in the First Division. However, it was not until he arrived at Chivas that he showed his potential in the goal.

Matías Almeyda gave him the confidence and made him the starting goalkeeper, and he quickly won over all the rojiblancos.

Cota has an unshakable temper; he is brave to the point of being suicidal, he closes down space like few others, and if he has to risk his physicality, Cota fearlessly offers his 83 kilograms and 1.83 meters in height. Cota goes for the ball, regardless of whether he takes a teammate or opponent with him in the process.

Cota's numbers after five complete games are five goals against, with 22 saves and 103 passes to his teammates. Cota has had extra work, in Monterrey beyond how difficult it was to play with nine men due to the red cards to Jair Pereira and el Gallito Vázquez, the Chivas goalkeeper grew and prevented the regios from scoring more goals.

Duel of goalkeepers in the Clásico Tapatío, two goalkeepers who will do the impossible to keep a clean sheet. Two different styles and two players with national team potential. Ustari vs Cota at Jalisco Stadium.

GPE