Pumas Have Won Only One of Their Last 10 Matches: The Crisis Is Real, but the Answer Is Not Firing Solari

A tense evening at Estadio Olímpico Universitario ended with another painful defeat for Pumas UNAM, this time against Atlético de San Luis. It was the fifth loss in a ten-match run that contains only one win. The numbers are stark: one victory, four draws, five losses, and an average of 0.7 points per match in Apertura 2026. At that rate, Pumas are drifting away from the standards of a traditional Liga MX contender. The four draws are the most revealing detail. A team that draws 40% of its matches while losing half of the rest usually has a blunt attack rather than a broken defense. Pumas are competitive enough to avoid heavy defeats but not sharp enough to turn pressure into victories. The absence of Sebastián Córdova, the team's creative hub, helps explain the lack of final-third quality. The absence of Álvaro Angulo, a full-back, weakens the flanks and increases the risk of late concessions. Together, these injuries expose a squad with limited depth. The only win in the sequence, 3-1 against León on Matchday 7, was also Solari's first home win since returning to the club. But its position in the middle of a bad run makes it look like an outlier rather than a turning point. The Argentine coach has publicly admitted the poor record and has taken responsibility for dropping points at home. That is a protective, accountable posture, but it also raises the pressure around his future. Cruz Azul arrive as the reigning Clausura 2026 champions. The match is a de facto referendum on Solari and on Pumas' remaining Liguilla hopes. A win would transform the narrative; a loss would deepen the crisis. The international break offers a rare reset window, potentially allowing Córdova and Angulo to return. The underlying question remains unanswered because the source provides no process data such as xG or PPDA. Without that, it is impossible to say whether Pumas have simply been unlucky or are in genuine decline. The answer will be written on the pitch against Cruz Azul.