Last 180 minutes have set a negative trend in Toluca

In both the league and the cup, Toluca has suffered adverse results: a week ago they were defeated in Guadalajara, against Chivas (2-0), in the ninth round of the Clausura 2017; days later, a tie (2-2) at Nemesio Diez followed by a penalty shootout (0-3) ended their chances in the Round of 16 of the alternate tournament... Beyond the lack of sporting success, the red devils accumulated 15 cards between yellow and red in both matches.

Last Saturday, March 4th, with goals from Alan Pulido, Chivas sealed the victory and exposed Toluca's defensive weaknesses. Toluca went from bad to worse during the match. In the 34th minute, Rubens Sambueza was expelled for a strong tackle on Isaac Brizuela, who also suffered a fibula fracture in the collision. Toluca lost control and more cards were shown.

In the 74th minute, Néstor Calderón was hit in the face by Paulo Da Silva, who received a yellow card. Three minutes later, Gabriel Hauche forgot about the ball and deliberately slid on Jesús Sánchez's right leg, resulting in a red card shown by referee Fernando Hernández. Sinha was cautioned for protesting this decision. In the 82nd minute, Chivas' young player, Michel Benítez, suffered a tough tackle from Osvaldo González, who also received a yellow card.

The events, especially Sambueza's, prompted an investigation by the Disciplinary Commission, and the verdict was known days later. But before that, Toluca had to face Morelia in the Round of 16 of the Copa MX. The previous results defined the red devils as a team immersed in an emotional stability crisis, which could lead to something more serious if not controlled... And it happened.

With a 1-0 lead, Óscar Rojas fouled Cristian Penilla at the 19th minute, receiving a yellow card. In the 26th minute, Gabriel Hauche became the fourth player to be cautioned in the match. With a 2-1 score, Chilean defender Osvaldo González was shown a yellow card, becoming the third player from Toluca to be cautioned by referee Miguel Ángel Flores.

Toluca was 45 minutes away from advancing to the next round of the cup and finishing the game on a positive note regarding discipline. However, Morelia's pressure exacted a high toll in this aspect. In the 54th minute, Juan Delgadillo was cautioned for a foul in the midfield. Thirteen minutes later, with the game tied 2-2, Argentine Jesús Méndez struck an opponent, receiving a serious warning and a yellow card from the referee. Then, the worst came. In the final moments of the match, Toluca would be left with eight players on the field.

At the 80th minute, Alfredo Talavera's vehement protest earned him a yellow card, as he disagreed with a foul called against Toluca near their own area. Two minutes later, Jesús Méndez would unleash chaos. The midfielder disrupted play again, receiving his second caution and a red card. In response to this referee's decision, Talavera and Enrique Triverio would react: Talavera received a second yellow card for repeated complaints, and Triverio was directly expelled for pushing the referee.

To add to the dramatic ending, Toluca's coach Hernán Cristante was also sent off from the technical area, expelled by the referee tired of his complaints. The absences and lack of concentration allowed Morelia to advance, and they took advantage of the opportunity in the penalty shootout. No team in Liga MX has received more cards so far this season, combining the league and the cup. With 42 yellow and red cards, Toluca's football arguments seem to lack balance on the field.

Consequences

The last 180 minutes, in both the league and the cup, will have a future impact on Toluca, not only because of the cards received. The Disciplinary Commission, already involved in the controversy of the ongoing referee strike in Liga MX, ruled that Sambueza will be suspended for the next eight weeks. If the timing coincides, he will return for the last match of the regular season when Toluca faces Santos at Nemesio Diez. As for Enrique Triverio, their main striker, his punishment for pushing the referee is a one-year suspension.