European review: A weekend to forget for several Mexican stars

It was a far from ideal return to domestic action for several of Mexico’s best players plying their trade in Europe. After an international break, players often suffer from fatigue, especially those travelling back from America to Europe.

Guillermo Ochoa and Johan Vázquez

“This was a rest day for him,” said Salernitana head coach Filippo Inzaghi when asked about leaving Mexican netminder Guillermo Ochoa on the bench in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Cagliari.

Johan Vázquez, who also plays in Serie A, played the whole game but his struggling Genoa side lost 2-0 to Atalanta, a result that keeps them bottom of the table.

César Montes and Julián Araujo in LaLiga

César Montes started and finished the 90 minutes for Almería in their 5-2 defeat to a high-flying Girona team. Montes could have done more for the second and third goals, but the home side played the better football throughout and deserved the three points.

In contrast, his compatriot Julián Araujo only managed to play the second 45 minutes in Las Palmas’ 1-0 loss at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. The Mexican full-back’s side were beaten by a last-minute penalty from Rayo winger Bebé and now find themselves in 12th place overall.

Edson Álvarez loses with West Ham

Despite being the player who contributed the most to his club’s cause, assisting West Ham’s only goal and playing the entire game, Edson Álvarez was part of a Hammers side that lost 4-1 to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday evening. Before his assist for West Ham’s goal, he brought down an opponent in the box which resulted in a penalty that was converted by midfielder Douglas Luiz.