Liga MX: Back in first, Cruz Azul try to slow down Lobos BUAP
Cruz Azul moved back into the top spot in Liga MX and have a chance to solidify that place when they host a streaking Lobos BUAP.
After a brief spell, Cruz Azul found their way back to the top of the Liga MX table, thanks to a loss from Santos Laguna and Club America only managing a draw against Toluca. Lobos have made their way from last place all the way up to 14th, currently, and are well within reach of Chivas and Leon for 12th or 13th. Lobos haven’t lost since September 16th, and are a totally different squad from that one that lost 4-2 to Pumas.
Cruz Azul provides the next test for Lobos who did well to draw Tigres a couple of weeks ago, but La Maquina is a new level. This is especially true, since Cruz Azul will not be caught by surprise. Lobos is the only team outside of Club America to be unbeaten in their last five matches.
Last match
Lobos: W v Tijuana 3-1
Entering the match, Leo Ramos was on fire offensively. His seven goals in six matches were a huge reason for Lobos’ streak. This game it was his passing that did the trick. Colin Kazim-Richards scored in the 31st and 50th minutes with assists from Ramos to open scoring and then re-take the lead. Sandwiched by Kazim-Richards’ goals was a Xolos goal from Ignacio Rivero in the 49th minute. As you can see, Tijuana’s celebration was brief. After some salting away of the match, including a yellow card to Aldo Cruz for time-wasting, Mauro Lainez netted the third Lobos goal in the second minute of stoppage time, before being sent off for receiving his second yellow in about five minutes. The win puts Lobos up to 14th in the table and moves their unbeaten streak to six.
Cruz Azul: W @ Pumas 2-1
Headed into the match, Pumas was on a good run of form with seven points from their previous three matches. Cruz Azul had just won Copa MX and so it looked like it’d be an entertaining match. Fans only needed to wait 16 minutes for the first goal to come from Edgar Mendez, putting Cruz Azul ahead of the home side 0-1. The next goal wouldn’t come until the 80th minute, from Andres Renteria, who had come on in place of Martin Cauteruccio just two minutes prior. Felipe Mora would pull Pumas back within a goal in the 85th minute, but they couldn’t find the equalizer, ultimately giving Cruz Azul the 2-1 victory and the full three points.
Possible line-ups
Lobos: 4-4-2
Rodriguez
Chrisanto – Orozco – Maza – Cruz
Chrinos – Sierra – Gonzalez – Rabello
Ramos – Kazim-Richards
I don’t expect any changes from last week’s lineup. Lobos are playing well and I would imagine it hard to take anyone out of the lineup when you have a nice run going. Colin Kazim-Richards hadn’t been starting but with a brace in his last outing, I’d expect him to get more run up front for Lobos.
Cruz Azul: 3-5-2
Corona
Dominguez – Aguilar – Lichnovsky
Maduena – Hernandez – Marcone – Salas – Alvarado
Mendez – Cauteruccio
Cruz Azul will be without Adrian Aldrete for this match after he picked up a red card right at the end of the Pumas match. The Mexican left back has started every Liga MX match for Cruz Azul, so Pedro Caixinha may go back to the formation he used against Monterrey in early October. In comes, Igor Lichnovsky into a back three, and Roberto Alvarado returns to the lineup playing on the outside of the “5” part of the formation, in place of Aldrete.
More from Viva Liga MX
- Guillermo Ochoa is out 4-6 weeks
- The Clásico Regiomontano is Heating Up
- Pumas: In Search of Regaining a Top Spot
- Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
- Erick Gutierrez is out once again
Key players
Lobos: Leo Ramos
Obviously there are many reasons for Lobos’ unbeaten streak. There is no clearer reason than Ramos’ play, though. In seven matches, the Argentinian has seven goals and two assists. If he continues his hot play, Lobos have a shot to get some points out of this tough match-up.
Cruz Azul: Ivan Marcone
Marcone has been quietly impressive this season for Los Cementeros. He has started and played in all 15 Liga MX matches and been an important cog in the middle of La Maquina, defensively. If he is having a good match, it will increase the difficulty for Lobos to score.
Prediction
It’s hard to imagine the streak continuing. Cruz Azul seems to have rediscovered some form after their impressive victory against Pumas, and though Lobos are looking much better, they don’t seem to have enough to compete with a top three club in the table, right now.