First Division played its usual mixed championship – at first the league was divided into 4 groups of 5 teams each, but every team played twice against all other league members. The top 2 in every group moved up to cup-like quarterfinals and the 2 teams with least points went to their own final for survival. Lets start with the losers. Atletico Morelia (Group 4) and Zacatepec (Group 3) ended with 30 points each and faced relegation. Their ‘vida o muerte’ duel was played on Azteca, but before that the foes met twice in the standard procedure – Atletico Morelia won 2-0 at home, then Zacatepec won their home leg 4-2 and third match had to be scheduled. On neutral ground, Atletico Morelia won 1-0.
A season Atletico Morelia liked to forget, but at least they escaped relegation.
Zacatepec was relegated after dramatic play-off – a bit unlucky, but, in general, they deserved to go down. Local fans beg to differ, of course.
Well, most teams finished their season after the first stage.
Monterrey, with future Mexican national team coach in its squad, was last in Group 1 with 31 points.
Tampico-Madero – last in Group 2 with 33 points,
Cruz Azul – 3rd in Group 3 with 35 points,
UNAM – 3rd in Group 4 with 38 points.
UANL – 4th in Group 4 with 37 points.
The formula provided for some teams to go ahead with fewer points than others – it all depended on initial luck with the draw. Atletico Potosino qualified with 36 points – they were 2nd in the weak Group A. Leon had 37, but was only 3rd in Group B, UNAM had 38 points and UANL – 37, which was not good enough in the tough Group 4. But good luck can propel a team only to a point – Atletico Potosino was completely destroyed in the ¼ finals by America – 0-2 and 0-4.
Atlante was also destroyed – CD Guadalajara won both legs – 3-1 and 3-0.
Toluca was also out after losing both legs to U de G 0-2 and 2-3.
UAG looked like having a fair chance after their home leg – they won 2-1. But the visit to Puebla crushed all fragile hope – the hosts simply annihilated UAG 5-1.
Still, Guadalajara had 2 teams in the semi-finals and Mexico City only 1 – the capital was losing fast so far. The rivalry between Mexico City and Guadalajara looked like going to the very end of the championship – Amercia won at the hostile ground of CD Guadalajara 2-1. The final, at least, seemed secured. Then the second leg started in Mexico City – and it was a big humiliation. CD Guadalajara triumphed with 3-0 in front of stunned America fans.
America was the best Mexico City team this season, but their hopes for a title were suddenly crushed right at home.
In the other semi-final Universidad de Guadalajara was eliminated by Puebla – U de G won 1-0 at home, but lost 2-4 in Puebla. So, there was not to be a Guadalajara final, but a provincial final instead – still good for rubbing the nose of jaded Mexico City.
CD Guadalajara won the opening leg in front of home crowd 2-1. Puebla was not giving up and won the second leg 1-0. The opponents were tied, but there was no third match under the rules – a bit weird, for Mexico had it for the relegation duel – and Puebla got some advantage by noisy home support. Still, the extra time produced no result and penalty shoot-out followed. Tough final to the last moment – Publa prevailed 7-6 in the shoot-out.
Wonderful, yet bitter, season for ‘Chivas’ as CD Guadalajara is better known. What a disappointment: to lose on penalties, to miss one – and thus the title.
Puebla won the dramatic final and was the new Mexican champion. By itself, not a surprise, for Puebla was among the leading Mexican clubs for years. It looked like they were the team most wisely distributing its strength through the long and complicated season – they did not shine in the opening stage, ending with the 3rd record – America was vastly superior at this point, but seemingly they spent their strength at this stage and slowly went down after that, when Puebla slowly was going up until they reached the final in great form. A bit of luck helped too at the final, but they were solid and consistent the whole season, so one cannot call them just lucky winners – the boys deserved it.
It was historic moment for the club – the 1st title.
No big stars here – even their Brazilian hero Muricy Ramalho was not among the biggest names in Mexico.
The credit must go to their coach Manuel Lapuente, a former national team player and future national coach, still at the beginning of his career. His work elevated Puebla to winning the championship.
And one last look at the squad, instantly becoming legendary in the city.