Santos Vs Puebla

Introduction

Against every sort of odd, Puebla put in a clinical match and beat Santos Laguna in his home ground by 2-0. In this extensive analysis, everything that anyone would want to know about this match, including historical background, tactical wars, stats, and the impact of this outcome on both teams for the future, will be given.

Head-to-Head History & Rivalry

Though this may not be the biggest rivalry found in Liga MX, matches between Santos Laguna and Puebla FC have always been very competitive. Historically, Santos has been on the profile side as:

• Santos Laguna Wins: 19

• Puebla FC Wins: 7

• Draws: 20

Puebla’s victory in February was much more than just that: it was an interruption to Santos’s historical dominance. Besides, it was also Puebla’s second win over Santos in a row, having won narrowly the first match in July 2024 1-0, a great message that the gap between the two has narrowed.

Team Form Coming into the Match

Santos Laguna: A team in turmoil

Before going to face Puebla, Santos experienced the nightmare start of the Clausura 2025 such as:

• 1-4 vs Club América (Jan 26)

• 1-2 vs Pachuca (Jan 21)

• 0-1 vs Chiapas (Jan 12)

They did not win a single game in the first four matches, and their defense allowed goals and lacked sharpness in their attack. Pressure has increased for the coach and squad to effect a turnaround against Puebla at home.

Puebla FC: Dangerous, yet Unpredictable

Form: That was inconsistent but promising:

• 0-1 to Mazatlán (Jan 29)

• 1-1 versus Cruz Azul (Jan 25)

• 1-2 to Atlético San Luis (Jan 18)

Came to Torreón as the underdog, with nothing to lose, and sometimes, that’s the most dangerous position.

Match Summary and Tactical Analysis

Final Score: Santos Laguna 0-2 Puebla FC

Goalscorers:

• Martín Barragán (Puebla) – 26th minute

• Kevin Velasco (Puebla) – 74th minute

Possession & Key Stats:

Stats	Santos Laguna	Puebla FC
Possession	65%	35%
Shots	15	9
Shots on Target	4	5
Expected Goals (xG)	1.73	1.04
Pass Accuracy	85%	72%

What the stats show:

Santos Laguna attempted to play with more possession and had a better passing ratio, whereas Puebla was able to perform more efficiently and straightforwardly in their attacking schemes. Tactical implementation of a compact defense structure, fast counterplays, and lethal finishing made all the difference.

Tactical Breakdown

Santos Laguna’s Approach:

• Their system of play was an attacking, entertaining possession-oriented strategy.

• They high-pressed and tried to overstretch Puebla’s defense.

• Came in numbers into the box but could not find a clinical finisher to put them away.

Puebla’s Axioms:

• They sat deep in a low defensive block.

• Puebla stayed compact while absorbing pressure.

• They pressed Santos on the counterattacks with quick exploitations of spaces left by Santos’ highly aggressive full-backs.

• Discipline in the defensive phase was kept, particularly about being a nuisance in midfield.

Key Battles for Players:

• Puebla’s center-back pairing versus Harold Preciado up in front for Santos-a true one-on-one battle, with Puebla’s defense neutralizing the threats of Santos’ star striker.

• Santos’ buildup was hampered by consistent pressure from Puebla’s midfield.

• Kevin Velasco was a source of problems for Santos’ right defenders with his pace.

Key Moments That Defined the Match

Stunned by an Early Goal: In the 26th minute, an error from Santos allowed Martín Barragán to open the scoring for Puebla.

Missed Chance: Santos dominated possession with 65%, but lacked the ability to finish. They missed two clear-cut chances that were reflected on the xGs.

Kill in the Second Half: A counterattack in the 74th minute saw Kevin Velasco netting the heartbreak goal.

Santos’ Frustration: Several yellow cards and hasty attacks in the last 20 minutes of play showed Santos was desperate.

Implications-Given That Result

For Santos Laguna:

• A subsequent loss had continued to add pressure on the coach.

• Defensive weakness and inability to put away chances were becoming a worrying trend.

• Inching further down the table leads to jumping out of the playoff contention barely into the season.

For Puebla FC:

• A gigantic boost to morale.

• Away win number one in the Clausura 2025 season.

• There was evidence that their defensive and counterattacking strategy could work against bigger teams.

Analyst Opinion & Post-Match Reactions

Most of the pre-game predictions favored Santos Laguna winning 2-1 or 2-0 due to history and home-ground advantage, but tactical discipline from Puebla surprised everyone.

Pueblo Coach’s Post-Match Reaction:

“We knew we wouldn’t have much of the ball. Our plan was clear – stay compact, frustrate them, and hit them where it hurts. The boys executed it perfectly.”

“Santos Coach”: “We created enough chances to win. It sucks, but we have to be better in front of the goal.”

Final Thoughts of Santos Vs Puebla

This match demonstrated why possession does not always determine the outcome. Santos Laguna played on the ball for shorter sequences but failed to make the most of its possession whilst making defensive mistakes. Puebla came up with a plan and executed it flawlessly. See more

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