Monterrey have dealt impressively in the transfer
market during Turco Mohamed’s reign. The
summer transfer window saw the arrival of three
key members of the first team squad; José Maria
Basanta, Walter Gargano and Rogelio Funes Mori.
The return of Basanta has added experience and
quality to the defence, Gargano’s ball winning and
retention abilities at the fulcrum of Monterrey has
greatly improved their midfield, whilst Rogelio
Funes Mori has filled the target man role that
Monterrey lacked last season, scoring 19 league
goals in the process.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco plays his part in the team's defence
Sánchez play on the left and right sides of midfield
respectively, but love to drift inside and assert their
influence on the game through the middle of the
pitch.
There’s no lack of width despite Cardona and
Sánchez cutting inside, with full-backs Edgar
Castillo and Efraín Juárez providing support from
deep, and Pabón often drifting out into the wide
positions.
Colombian attacker Pabón has been the main
beneficiary from the attacking tactic used in the
2016 Clausura. Playing as a second striker, Pabón
has been given the license to roam behind Funes
Mori, allowing him to occupy and exploit space
on the pitch, particularly the spaces between
opposition defences and midfields.
With a strong work ethic and good vision and
awareness, Pabón has become a nightmare to mark
with a record of eight goals and six assists this
Clausura, illustrating his high level of performance.
Although there are still some question marks
over whether Cardona’s incredible talents are being
fully utilised, that the Colombian would have more
influence over games playing in a “number 10” role
through the middle rather than on the left, Turco
Mohamed has found the best attacking system to
benefit his current crop of quality attacking players.
The fluidity, movement and speed of Monterrey’s
attacking play has led to Los Rayados topping the
goal scoring charts in the Clausura.
Leaving Estadio Tecnológico at the end of
last season, home of Monterrey since 1950, was
undoubtedly a sad moment for Monterrey fans,
but moving to the state of the art Estadio BBVA
Bancomer has proven successful so far. As well as
increasing attendances and the profile and stature
of an ambitious club, Estadio BBVA Bancomer has
become somewhat of a fortress this season.
Despite these signings, Los Rayados weren’t able
to make the play-offs in the 2015 Apertura, and
that failure was partly due to the gap that often
appeared between the midfield and the front three;
Funes Mori, Dorlan Pabón and Edwin Cardona.
The solution was to bring in Uruguayan Carlos
Sánchez from River Plate. With high technical
ability and intelligence, combined with superb lung
power, Sánchez