More fireworks expected as Pumas, Saprissa lock horns again

MIAMI, Florida – Following their thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg, Liga MX side Pumas and Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica will lock horns again in their 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 series in the second leg on Wednesday night at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City.

Washington Corozo and Juan Dinenno scored the goals for Pumas, but it was Saprissa’s Christian Bolanos stealing the show with a brace, some 17 years after scoring against Pumas in the 2005 Concacaf Champions Cup.

A new challenge awaits Bolanos and his Saprissa teammates in their visit to Mexico City. Saprissa’s previous encounter on Mexican soil resulted in a 5-1 defeat to Tigres in the 2019 edition, so improvement will be on the minds of the Monstruo Morado, who would also like to snap a six-match SCCL winless streak.

Pumas arrive into Wednesday’s contest with the confidence that they boast a very strong home record in Concacaf competition. Including SCCL and Concacaf Champions Cup, the Liga MX side is 27W-2D-5L in Concacaf play, with 104 goals scored and 22 against.

Hoping to bulk up those stats will be key figures like Dinenno and Jose Ricardo Galindo, the latter registering three shots and 43 completed passes in the first leg.

Meanwhile, veteran GK and former SCCL Golden Glove Award winner Alfredo Talavera is an anchor in the back and made five saves in last week’s first leg.

Two teams with three SCCL/Concacaf Champions Cup crowns in their trophy cabinet will each look to take a big step forward in their search for a fourth title.