The possible lineups of Rayados and Cruz Azul for the first leg semifinal at the BBVA

In the absence of the official announcement, next Thursday, May 16, Striped would receive Blue Cross in it BBVA Bancomer Stadiumfor the first leg semi-final of the 2024 Clausura Tournament, of the Liga MX.

To reach this stage, Monterrey had to get rid of its staunch rival Tigers in another edition of Royal Classic. In the Steel Giant, the French André-Pierre Gignac It gave the university students hope of being able to come back, but Jordi Cortizo He managed to seal the 1-1 that left the overall score 3-2 in favor of the Albiazules.

Jordi Cortizo precisely he was chosen as the Player of the Match thanks to the goal that calmed the waters in front of the Tigerstaking advantage of a rebound, after the Spanish Sergio Canales crashed the ball against the post.

“It’s a feeling that I can’t explain, I owed it to the people. “We are very happy, it is the first step, we have not won anything yet”were the words of the midfielder after receiving the distinction.

The Machine left the Cougars in it Sports City Stadium, after equaling 2-2 (4-2 overall). Despite the many Memo Martínez and Cesar Huerta that gave hope to university students, Alexis Gutierrez and the Argentine Lorenzo Faravelli They extinguished their illusions.

After advancing to the semifinals in his first tournament in Mexico, the Argentine coach Martin Anselmi He attended the press conference, admitting his happiness at achieving the goal, valuing the work of his people.

“Today we try to focus on recovering and preparing to see which opponent we face. Happy to be in the semifinals and value the work of these players who are where they are because they deserve it. Since I stepped foot on La Noria for the first time I connected with this team, with this fans who scored a goal for us today and sang louder.”he indicated.

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Goalkeeper: Esteban Andrada – As it has been for some time, La Sabandija is the starting goalkeeper and never lets up to give up his position, now he will have to put a stop to the light blue forward.

Defense: Hector Moreno – He is the leader of the defense, his seniority and experience have helped a lot so that a youth defense is not so green.

Defense: Victor Guzmán – He is the future of the royal defense, he is also selection material, so it will be a good test to see how he behaves against The Machine.

Right back: Stefan Medina – The Colombian captain finally returned to what he is very good at, joining the right side to attack. Of course, without neglecting the defensive issue.

Left back: Gerardo Arteaga – In the end, the arrival of the former Genk was to be an immovable starter, winning the position Jesus Gallardowho is now more focused on being a winger on the left when required.

Pivot: Jorge Rodríguez – Corcho is another of the immovable ones in the Argentine coach’s scheme Fernando Ortizsince he takes care of the dirty work to be able to exit and recover possession.

Pivot: Luis Romo – The Sinaloan appears next to him, although he has more quality with his feet, apart from constantly stepping into the rival area to test his shot or generate a play.

Right winger: Sergio Canales – It was thought that La Pandilla would lose the Spaniard for the final series, but fortunately it was only cramps and he was able to be on the field, participating in one of the goals.

Left winger: Maxi Meza – The Argentine captain was continually reproached this semester for his low level, but in the quarter-round he showed a different face.

Forward: Germán Berterame – Tano Ortiz had gotten used to playing with a false ‘9’, but now he is betting on having two specialists in the area to be able to hurt the rival.

Forward: Brandon Vázquez – In his first tournament in Mexico, the American already helped his team reach the semifinals, so they hope that his scoring instinct remains valid to be able to aspire to the grand final.

This is what Rayados’ possible lineup (4-4-2) would look like:

Goalie: Esteban Andrada
Defenses: Héctor Moreno, Víctor Guzmán, Stefan Medina, Gerardo Arteaga
Midfielders: ‘Corcho’ Rodríguez, Luis Romo, Sergio Canales, Maxi Meza
Fronts: Germán Berterame, Brandon Vázquez
Substitutes: Edson Gutiérrez, Ponchito González, Jesús Gallardo, Rodrigo Aguirre, Jordi Cortizo, Luis Cárdenas, Tony Leone, Omar Govea, ‘Tecatito’ Corona, César Garza, Sebastián Vegas, Érick Aguirre

Goalkeeper: Kevin Mier – Despite it being his first experience in Mexican soccer, the Colombian goalkeeper more than fulfilled his goal and has put several clubs behind his services, being a factor in several team duels.

Defense: Gonzalo Piovi – The alarms had gone off when it was thought that the Argentine was not going to be in the Liguilla due to injury, however, he recovered in time to continue being the pillar of the lower half.

Defense: Willer Ditta – At first he was antagonizing the fans, but since he left those absurd distractions and infractions behind he has become someone trustworthy again and the celestial fans no longer mess with him.

Defense: Carlos Salcedo – Another one who also did not have a good relationship with the fans, but since his return, although he had some failures, he has once again earned respect with solid performances.

Pivot: Charly Rodríguez – With a lower profile when working as a solitary containment, he may no longer have as many spotlights, but he remains as a starter thanks to how he organizes from below.

Inside left: Camilo Cándido – It was surprising that the Paraguayan did not receive minutes despite having arrived as a reinforcement, but almost at the end of the regular phase Martin Anselmi He began to give him minutes and has remained as a starter.

Inside right: Rodrigo Huescas – For many it is the youth team’s revelation tournament, since he has had an excellent performance thanks to his good overflow and determination when he is in attack.

Midfielder: Lorenzo Faravelli – As each team has its thinking man, La Maquina’s is the Argentinian. Added to this, he will arrive with high spirits after his score against Pumas.

Midfielder: Ignacio Rivero – Years go by and the Uruguayan captain continues to be the multifaceted piece because they play in different areas, more than complying with orders no matter where he is standing.

Forward: Carlos Rotondi – For most of the tournament he played as a left winger, but for the last few days the coach preferred to use him as a false ‘9’ and he may continue that way until the tournament ends.

Forward: Uriel Antuna – By not playing with a fixed ‘9’, since Angel Sepúlveda He is the only one, El Brujo also appears as a false forward and although his best version is when he plays close to the right, it has also worked that way.

This is what Cruz Azul’s possible lineup would look like (3-5-2):

Goalie: Kevin Mier
Defenses: Gonzalo Piovi, Carlos Salcedo, Willer Ditta
Midfielders: Charly Rodríguez, Camilo Cándido, Lorenzo Faravelli, Ignacio Rivero, Rodrigo Huescas
Forwards: Carlos Rotondi, Uriel Antuna
Substitutes: Bryan Gamboa, Alexis Gutiérrez, Erik Lira, Ángel Sepúlveda, Louis Derbez, Andrés Gudiño, Mauro Zaleta, Jorge García, Raymundo Rubio, Amaury Morales, Rafael Guerrero

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