Liga MX: Gallos Blancos aim to extend Cruz Azul title drought

The Liga MX playoffs kick off Wednesday with a No. 1 vs No. 8 match-up when league-leading Cruz Azul visits Querétaro.

Cruz Azul has not won a Liga MX title since 1997 and its fans are anxious to celebrate. This is the 6th time the Cementeros have claimed the regular-season title since last hoisting the trophy so nothing is guaranteed.

The Gallos Blancos snuck into the Liguilla on the final matchday of the season, but I don’t see them resting on their laurels. They beat Cruz Azul at Estadio Corregidora last month and they’ll be confident they can do it again

This game might come down to tactics and Cruz Azul’s Pedro Caixinha and Querétaro’s Rafa Puente, Jr. are very capable managers.

Regular-season record

Querétaro: 7-5-5 overall; 19 goals for, 20 goals against

5-1-2 at home; 9 goals for, 5 goals against

Cruz Azul: 11-3-3 overall; 26 goals for, 13 goals against

3-2-3 on the road; 8 goals for, 10 goals against

Last match

Querétaro: 1-0 win vs Necaxa

The Gallos Blancos were granted an opportunity to snare the 8th seed when Cruz Azul beat Morelia on the final weekend. They did not squander it as left back Miguel Samudio corralled a rebound at the top of the box, deked a defender and fired a low shot through a crowd and into the net. It was his first goal since 2015. Goalie Tiago Volpi and the disciplined defense made sure the goal stood up despite steady pressure from Necaxa.

Cruz Azul: 2-0 win at Morelia

The Cementeros spoiled Morelia’s playoff dreams with a business-like win at Estadio Morelos. Martín Cauteruccio opened the scoring in minute 68 with an easy finish after a breakout started by Roberto Alvarado. Defender Pablo Aguilar clinched the win with a header off a corner kick in minute 74. Goalie Guillermo Allison replaced Jesús Corona who was given the night off and pitched a shutout; he made some tremendous saves.

Regular season match

Querétaro 2, Cruz Azul 0

The Gallos Blancos scored twice late to hand the Cementeros their most recent loss. Since then, Cruz Azul has won three straight league matches and hoisted the Copa MX trophy. In this Matchday 13 clash on Oct. 20, the goalies (Tiago Volpi-Gallos Blancos and Jesús Corona-Cruz Azul) each made two tremendous saves to keep it scoreless at the half. Cementeros winger Elías Hernandez hit the right post with a shot in minute 61. Then Corona blocked a point-blank shot from Edson Puch and Volpi made a diving save of a curling Hernández shot. In minute 88, Pablo Aguilar chased a long cross and vacated the center, allowing Camilo Sanvezzo to tap home unmolested. Two minutes later, Marcel Ruiz got behind the defense and redirected an Everaldo Stum pass into the net to secure the win for the Gallos Blancos.

Possible line-ups

Querétaro: 4-2-3-1

Volpi

Corral – Romo – Mier – Pérez

Gómez – Guemez

Villalva – Ruiz – Cortizo

Sanvezzo

This is a slightly different formation than the Gallos Blancos used in the Matchday 13 meeting between these two teams. Marcel Ruiz has been dropped back into a central midfield role as the 18-year-old has evolved into a dangerous passer and it gives Camilo Sanvezzo freedom to roam. The back four is steady but not spectacular. Having Tiago Volpi behind you affords some room for error.

Cruz Azul: 4-4-2

Corona

Madueña – Aguilar – Domínguez – Aldrete

Hernández – Baca – Marcone – Alvarado

Méndez – Cauteruccio

The back line is the heart of this team and it has been strengthened by the emergence of José Madueña as a reliable fullback. Iván Marcone and Rafa Baca must harass Querétaro’s midfield threesome and keep them from making comfortable passes to Camilo Sanvezzo or Chile international Edson Puch who is likely to come on as a sub. Out on the flanks, Elías Hernández and Roberto Alvarado will be expected to generate scoring chances for the forwards.

Key players

Querétaro: Goalie Tiago Volpi is among the very best in the league and Cruz Azul doesn’t usually play conservative on the road, so he will have to be on the top of his game. He has not conceded a single goal on a shot from outside the box all season (this is not a Cruz Azul specialty anyway) and he is very strong in the air, both when gathering crosses or punching out centering passes.

Cruz Azul: Winger Elías Hernández was a stand-out performer during the first third of the season, then suffered a bit of a slump. He occasionally shows signs of his early-season brilliance but he needs to be consistent for the Cementeros to make a serious run at the title. “El Patrullero” has also appeared frustrated with teammates at times of late (an annoyance when a tantrum is thrown by someone not playing well), so he needs to control his emotions and contribute.

Prediction

Cruz Azul seemed to relax late in the regular season match and it cost them. I don’t see them making the same mistake at Estadio Corregidora this time. The question remains: How to beat Volpi? Edgar Méndez and Martín Cauteruccio have begun to establish themselves as a dangerous pairing but they must avoid over-dribbling and wasting possessions. I think both goalies will be up to the task, making goals scarce.

Querétaro 1, Cruz Azul 1

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