Liga MX
América vs Cruz Azul Preview
- Date: Dec. 13, 2018
- Time: 9:30 p.m. (est)
- Network: Univision Deportes
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Venue: Estadio Azteca
- Seating Capacity: 87,000
Thursday night brings the first leg of the Liga MX final between Club América against Cruz Azul.
The Mexico City clubs finished first and second in the regular season. Meanwhile, one earn merits as best defensive side while the other is the most offensive on the pitch.
Cruz Azul ended the season with a 11-3-3 record while conceding 13 goals in 17 games.
Contrary to ‘Los Cementeros‘ América ended the season three points behind Cruz Azul and with a 9-6-2 record, while scoring a league-high 33 goals.
Both Camps
Miguel Herrera’s side is anxious to surpass Guadalajara once again as they both sit with 12 championships each. The 13th, however, will be difficult at the expense of a very defensive side.
Nevertheless, they obtain the firepower necessary and momentum on their side to break a defensive scheme put in place by Cruz Azul.
Cruz Azul is looking to win their first title in more than 21 years. The last time they were in the finals was in 2013 against this same side, América.
Pedro Caixinha lead his side to winning the Copa MX Apertura 2018. However, their performance in this Liguilla has been far from stellar, winning just one game away from home. In reality, they reached the final because they were seeded higher than Monterrey as the global score was 1-1.
Probable Lineup
América: Marchesín, Aguilar, Aguilera, Álvarez, Valdéz, Sánchez, Rodríguez, Uribe, Lainez, Martínez and Ibarra.
Cruz Azul: Corona, Madueña, Aguilar, Lichnovsky, Aldrete, Salas, Marcone, Méndez, Alvarado, Elías and Caraglio.
Prediction
In the semifinals, América demolished city rivals Pumas on a 7-2 aggregate. To Piojo Herrera’s advantage, their goal-scoring opportunities have come from multiple players and don’t rely heavily on their top scorers Mateus Uribe, Roger Matinez, Oribe Peralta and Henry Martin.
Meanwhile, this is all about redemption for ‘La Maquina‘. Cruz Azul is seeking to once again jump to glory the held them up for a very long time but has been devastated by failure after failure. And though it is not pretty, Caixinha’s advantage rely on defending well while minimizing their opponents chances at goal.
Perhaps Mexico’s football cathedral is ready for a perfect storm in the making.
América 1 – 1 Cruz Azul
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Photo credit to Club América via Twitter
