Monterrey Vs Cruz Azul – Liga MX Matchweek 13
Cruz Azul are looking to break their poor away record against Monterrey. They are currently without a win in their last nine league matches away from home.
Monterrey peppered the Cruz Azul goal with shots from range but little accuracy on them as Corona organized his defence. Estrada gets a card for his elbow on Medina.
Cruz Azul
Cruz Azul is a giant in Mexico and has won a huge amount of major championships. The club is also among the top-ranked clubs in the CONCACAF Champions League, with six titles. The team known as “La Maquina” has also won some domestic championships and is fourth all-time in the list of Liga MX champions.
Despite its success on the field, Cruz Azul has also had some off-field problems in recent years. Its owner, Guillermo Alvarez Cuevas, along with other executives of the club, were recently investigated for money laundering and alleged links to organized crime. The investigation resulted in the freezing the team’s bank accounts and a suspension from the league until the situation was resolved.
The two teams have met five times in the past eight months, with Monterrey winning three and Cruz Azul winning 2. The most recent match occurred in January 2023 during the Clausura of Mexico and ended in a victory for the defending champions of CF Monterrey.
Monterrey will be eager to break their drought against Cruz Azul, and this could be a very tight match. Cruz Azul has some very talented players and will look to continue their good run in the competition. The club has a strong attack led by strikers Diber Cambindo and Maximiliano Meza. However, they must work hard to break down the stubborn Monterrey defence.
Cruz Azul won 2-0 at Estadio Universitario in the last meeting between the two teams. This was the first time the two teams had played each other since the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal. The match was an interesting game, with a lot of excitement from both sides.
Cruz Azul scored a goal in each half and eventually won the match 2-0 against the defending champions of the Apertura. The victory over the Aguilas was the most significant victory for Cruz Azul in the tournament and broke their 21-year title drought.
Cruz Azul will be a tough challenge for Forge in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The Mexican side has a good attacking style and aggressive edge. The team will look to take advantage of the quick transitions that Forge is capable of, which will likely give them a difficult time in this game.
Monterrey
CF Monterrey will look to get off to a strong start in the season when they take on Cruz Azul in a Liga MX match at Estadio BBVA. The hosts sit fifth in the standings, while the visitors sit at the bottom of the table. CF Monterrey have won three of the last nine meetings between the two sides and are unbeaten at home against Cruz in their past five outings.
Despite a slow start to the season, CF Monterrey is one of the top teams in Mexico and will be looking to clinch another trophy this year. Joaquin Moreno’s side made the playoffs of the Apertura and Clausura phases last year but could not secure any silverware. However, the club has been impressive in this year’s Leagues Cup, winning all five matches to reach the semifinals.
The team’s attacking trio of Joao Rojas, Omar Govea and German Berterame has been a force to be reckoned with in the current campaign. The attacking duo have scored three goals in four games and will be looking to continue their fine form when they take on Cruz Azul.
In the head-to-head history between CF Monterrey and Cruz Azul, the former has won 19 of the 51 encounters. The latter, on the other hand, have won just ten times.
Cruz Azul have struggled on the road this season and are yet to win a game away from home this campaign. Their struggles have been exacerbated by the fact that they have failed to score any goals in their last five away matches, and they are likely to find the task even more difficult against a spirited Monterrey side.
Cruz Azul’s squad is healthy ahead of this clash, with all players available for selection. The club recently lost on penalties in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup against Nashville SC, but they are sure to be fired up for this fixture and will be keen to put their recent results behind them. The club is also unbeaten in their last four home matches, so they will be confident of getting a result at the Estadio BBVA.
Team news
CF Monterrey and Cruz Azul will meet in Mexico’s Liga MX Torneo Apertura 2022 match at Estadio BBVA Bancomer. Both teams are aiming for the top spot in the table and will be desperate for a win. Monterrey has won three and lost two games so far this season, while Cruz Azul has won one and five matches.
Cruz Azul is looking to bounce back from a loss to Pachuca in their last match. The loss has left them in 15th place, but they can improve their position with a win over Monterrey. Monterrey is a better team at home, winning four out of their six matches. However, the team has been inconsistent with their performances on the road.
Both teams have made new signings for the match, with Cruz Azul welcoming Carlos Salcedo and Willer Ditta to their squad. Monterrey has also added defender Rodolfo Pizarro to its ranks, who joins from Inter Miami. The new signings hope to add more depth to the team’s defence.
Adonai Escobedo Gonzalez will referee the match and will be assisted by linesmen Alberto Morin Mendez and Michel Alejandro Morales. Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava will be the video assistant referee.
Monterrey will wear their traditional blue and white striped shirts for the match. The club has also released a special edition kit, which features pink numbers in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cruz Azul will be wearing their classic all-blue kits.
The first half was a close contest, with both teams creating chances and struggling to find their rhythm. Cruz Azul took the lead when Rogelio Funes Mori scored a free kick, but Monterrey equalized with a goal by Andrada. The second half was more dramatic as Cruz Azul’s Estrada was sent off for a foul on Alexis Gutierrez. The red card left the visitors with ten men, and they struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
Cruz Azul’s midfielder Pol Fernandez could leave the club in the summer as Boca Juniors have contacted the team. The Argentine club is offering 2 million dollars for the player, which significantly increases his current wages.
Prediction
Despite their disappointing start to the season, Monterrey has managed to remain in second place. They are just two points behind leaders Tijuana and hope to continue their winning streak when they host Cruz Azul in Matchweek 13 of the Mexico Apertura. The home team has won three of their last four matches, while the visitors are in danger of being relegated from the top flight.
The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-0 win for Monterrey at Estadio BBVA, with Rodrigo Huescas scoring twice and Luis Abram scoring once. Both teams have struggled this season, and the result of the match is likely to be tight.
In their most recent four league games, Monterrey have won two and lost two, losing to Los Angeles FC by a 2-3 scoreline and Nashville SC by a 0-2 margin. During this period, they have been more consistent on their turf, recording four wins in their last six home matches while conceding only four goals.
Monterrey are undefeated in their last nine home matches against Cruz, winning six times. The hosts also have the best defensive record in the league, with only one defeat in thirteen matches. On the other hand, Cruz Azul has suffered five defeats on the road this season and has the joint-worst attacking record in the league.
Joaquin Moreno has no injury concerns and can choose from his full squad for the game against Monterrey. He may play a 3-5-2 formation, with Andres Gudino, Juan Escobar, Carlos Salcedo, Willer Ditta, Rodrigo Huescas and Uriel Antuna in the starting line-up. Christian Jimenez, Erik Lira, Ignacio Rivero and Uriel Cambindo will be the bench options for the visitors.
This game will be played at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. The kickoff time is at 10:05 pm ET. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Univision in the United States. Fans can watch the game online via Fox Sports Go and Univision Deportes En Vivo. The replay will be available on Univision Deportes En Vivo after the match for those who cannot tune in live.
