Humbled Cruz Azul stares down hobbled Monterrey
Can Cruz Azul stop their recent downturn in form against a Monterrey side coming off an important win versus Tijuana?
Cruz Azul has held or shared first place in the Liga MX standings since Week 1, but has lost two out of three. Monterrey’s training room looks like an assembly line because as one key player returns to health another limps in for treatment. Even so, a Rayados win would see them catch Cruz Azul on points.
Last Match
Cruz Azul: L @ Pachuca 3-1
Pachuca was coming off a shutout loss to Tijuana but ran rampant against the Cementeros. Cruz Azul had ceded 5 goals through 10 weeks, yet the Tuzos scored 3 times in the first half. It didn’t help that right fullback José Madueña was shown red in minute 22. It could have been worse, as goalie Jesús Corona made 8 saves, continuing the stellar form he has enjoyed throughout the Apertura 2018 season.
Monterrey: W vs Tijuana 3-0
The Rayados played a 5-man back line to make up for the shortage of healthy bodies on offense and were helped by a steady rain that slowed down the pitch for the slick-passing Xolos. They shut down space and held Tijuana to 1 shot on goal, while striker Rogelio Funes Mori (finally returning to fitness after an early season injury) scored his first goal since Matchday 2.
Predicted line-ups
Cruz Azul: 4-4-2
Corona
Domínguez – Lichnovsky – Aguilar – Aldrete
Hernández – Baca – Marcone – Alvarado
Méndez – Cauteruccio
Coach Caixinha must juggle his back line since Madueña is unavailable thanks to his red card and Gerry Flores is still recovering from arthroscopic surgery. Edgar Méndez and Martín Cauteruccio will be asked to occupy the Rayados defense and create space for Elías Hernández and “El Piojo” Alvarado who will be expected to generate scoring chances. Andrés Rentería is the first offensive option off the bench since Milton Caraglio also saw a red card last week.
Monterrey: 5-3-2
Barovero
Medina – Molina – Sánchez – Montes – Vangioni
González – Ortiz – Gallardo
Pabón – Funes Mori
This could change depending on the fitness of forward Avilés Hurtado who trained with the club this week after a calf injury three weeks ago. But with skipper José María Basanta unavailable to anchor the defense and creative midfield Rodolfo Pizarro hobbled, coach Diego Alonso will ask his team to shut down the middle of the pitch and push forward on the flanks with Jesús Gallardo and Dorlan Pabón.
Key Players
Cruz Azul: Elías Hernández was rather quiet against Pachuca and has been largely inconsequential in recent weeks. Part of the problem is the tendency of Cruz Azul’s forwards to be static and wait for Elías to do something. The talented “Patrullero” must rediscover his creative genius if the Cementeros are to make a deep playoff run, because sturdy defense will not be enough to win the title.
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Monterrey: Dorlan Pabón is a threat out wide with his speed and his ability to send wicked crosses into the box. Since Cruz Azul will be using a makeshift back line, Pabón could find space and opportunity to feed Funes Mori plenty of balls.
Prediction
I think Monterrey will open up in mostly conservative fashion, determined to squeeze Cruz Azul while hoping Pabón can get the Cementero defense to scramble. The Rayados will look to absorb pressure and strike on the counter which could keep Cruz Azul midfielders Iván Marcone and Rafa Baca pinned back a bit. Jonathan González and Celso Ortiz will pester Hernández and Alvarado in hopes of limiting Cruz Azul’s scoring chances. The Cementeros must avoid trying to make up for last week’s poor showing and focus on the task at hand. If they do, they can keep the Rayados on their heels throughout the match.