Liga MX: League-leading Cruz Azul takes on stingy Gallos Blancos
Cruz Azul hopes to keep their spot atop the Liga MX table against Queretaro.
League-leading Cruz Azul travels to Querétaro to do battle with the Gallos Blancos in what should be a low-scoring slugfest. Querétaro has given up the second-fewest goals in Liga MX at home (4 goals allowed in 5 games), but has also only managed to score 4 goals in front of the home fans.
Both teams should be well-rested after the break even though the Cementeros had a few players off on international duty. Two of the league’s best goalies will be on stage and both – Cruz Azul’s Jesús Corona and Querétaro’s Tiago Volpi – have been brilliant at times this season.
Cruz Azul must avoid looking ahead to next week’s showdown with No. 2 América while Querétaro is eager to hold onto a playoff spot with only 5 games remaining, so losing at home is not an option.
Last match
Cruz Azul: 2-1 win vs Monterrey
The Cementeros benefited from the early expulsion of Rayados striker Rogelio Funes Mori after Monterrey had taken a 1-0 lead. Cruz Azul was also granted a penalty shortly after the ejection and then gradually imposed themselves on the game. It also helped that goalie Jesús Corona stood on his head, making three fantastic saves – two coming on the same Monterrey counterattack. Elías Hernández converted the PK and Édgar Méndez scored the winner in minute 71.
Querétaro: 1-1 tie at Tijuana
The Gallos Blancos scrambled back from an early deficit to earn a draw in a wide-open game, exactly the kind of game Querétaro does not like to play. After the goal, the Xolos played back looking for the counter, giving the visitors plenty of time on the ball (62% possession for the Gallos Blancos), but Querétaro had trouble finding space to get shots at goal. The patience and persistence paid off with a penalty which leading scorer Camilo Sanvezzo converted.
Possible line-ups
Cruz Azul: 4-1-4-1
Corona
Madueña – Domínguez – Aguilar – Aldrete
Marcone
Hernández – Baca – Alvarado – Méndez
Cauteruccio
Coach Pedro Caixinha could opt to start Milton Caraglio up front, but I think he’ll go for the slightly more mobile Uruguayan. José Madueña returns after a 1-game suspension and that should strengthen the back four, with Iván Marcone providing cover in front. Roberto Alvarado should be eager to make up for his poor performance with El Tri during the FIFA break and Elías Hernández – who admitted to feeling fatigued (even though he has been held out of Copa MX matches) – must rediscover his early season form.
Querétaro: 4-3-3
Volpi
Corral – Mier – Romo – Pérez
Gómez – Guemez – Ruiz
Acosta – Sanvezzo – Villalva
The Gallos Blanco are still waiting for someone to join Camilo Sanvezzo in the scoring column. The Brazilian striker has 7 of Querétaro’s 12 goals on the season. Look for 21-year-old Jonathan Suárez to come on up front if the Gallos Blancos need to go on attack. Young Luis Romo, 23, and Hirma Mier have proven to be a capable tandem in central defense and Javier Guemez has played well enough to get a call-up to the national team during the recent FIFA break.
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Key players
Cruz Azul: Elías Hernández has been out of synch the past month or so and the Cementeros need him to return to early season form heading down the home stretch and into the playoffs. The shifty winger makes the offense much more dangerous when he is weaving through defenses and threading passes into the box. It’s imperative that he picks up his play since the showdown with América is looming on the horizon
Querétaro: Javier Guemez has become a key cog in the Gallos Blancos midfield, rediscovering the swashbuckling style that led América to sign him. Unfortunately, injuries wrecked his chance to shine with the Águilas. His battle with Roberto Alvarado and Rafa Baca in midfield will be a treat to watch.
Prediction
Cruz Azul has been only average on the road (1-2-2) and the team will surely be fighting the urge to think ahead to the big clash with second place América next week. A loss could see the Cementeros fall behind the Águilas in the standings. I expect coach Caixinha to install a disciplined game strategy, calling for possession through midfield with Hernández and Alvarado pulling the strings on offense. The host Gallos Blancos rely too heavily on Sanvezzo, and Cruz Azul’s defense will know where he has at all times. This has all the hallmarks of an epic defensive battle.