Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Rivero’s Cruz Azul will host Argentine coach Gabriel Milito’s Chivas de Guadalajara this Sunday in a do-or-die match in the quarterfinals of the Mexican soccer Apertura.
After a scoreless game last Thursday, the Azules of Argentine coach Nicolás Larcamón will have a slight advantage because they are playing in their home stadium and only need a draw to reach the semifinal. In the event of a draw in the series, they will eliminate their opponents by virtue of having finished better in the regular phase.
Gudiño shines and the series is decided
In the first leg, both teams missed offensive opportunities and Cruz Azul celebrated the good performance of their substitute goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño.
He saved the team a couple of times and proved to be up to the task as a substitute for Colombian Kevin Mier, the starting goalkeeper, who is recovering from a serious tibia injury.
The quarterfinal series has been reduced to 90 minutes:
Cruz Azul will try to take advantage of playing at home and Guadalajara will look to defend well.
From that point on, they did their damage with an attack led by young Armando Gonzalez, the leading scorer.
Gonzalez had a muscular discomfort in the first leg, but is expected to be recovered and lead the offense.
Milito will have to go on the attack at some point to get the win he needs to qualify for the semifinals, and the young striker will play a key role in that endeavor.
Cruz Azul seeks to break its decisive stigma
Cruz Azul is trying to shake off its bad reputation for losing important league games.
For that, they will have to play almost perfectly because Chivas finished the championship well and is going through its best moment.
Rivero, his compatriot Gabriel Fernández and Mexico’s Angel Sepúlveda will be three key players from midfield forward.
Larcamón is relying on them to help him reach the last four.
The first three semifinalists will be decided this Saturday, when Spanish coach Sergio Ramos’ Monterrey visits América, Tijuana plays Tigres UANL and champion Toluca hosts Juárez FC.
Rayados, Tijuana and Toluca are on the verge of the semifinals
After defeating the Águilas 2-0 in the first leg of the quarter-final series, Spanish coach Domenec Torrent’s Rayados will once again be looking for a secure defense, with Ramos leading the way.
They will need to be focused because America is dangerous in decisive matches.
Uruguayan coach Sebastián Abreu’s Tijuana defeated favored Tigres 3-0 in the first leg.
They have everything in their favor to cause a big surprise in the quarterfinals, for which they will have to ratify their good soccer.
Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed’s Toluca, who won 1-2 in the first leg and will now host Juárez FC, who must win by two goals, looks more comfortable.
With information from EFE
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