Last Thursday, May 23, at the Ciudad de los Deportes field, in Mexico City, the Blue Cross Celestial Machine received a visit from Eagles of Americafor the match corresponding to the first leg of the final for the Clausura 2024 tournament.
The Machine began the match by winning, with a goal from Uriel Antuna, who converted from the eleventh step, after Malagón committed a foul inside the area, exposing himself to even being given a card.
Just seven minutes later, Julián Quiñones sent it to save, putting the final 1-1 on the field of the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium; formerly Blue stadium. The sky blue fans still trust the team, but they know that it was important to get an advantage by playing at home.
As happened in the spring of 2013, when América and Cruz Azul competed in the league tournament, everything will be decided on May 26, on the field of the Azteca stadium. A stage that brings back sweet memories to Azulcremas fans… and no wonder.
Aquivaldo Mosquera’s goal near the end of the game; Moisés Muñoz’s header deflected by a light blue soccer player and total madness in the Coloso de Santa Úrsula. Miguel’s excessive celebration: ‘Piojo’ Herrera, the penalties, Miguel Layún’s definition and the Olympic return that represented title number eleven for an America that today has fourteen stars and dreams of championship number fifteen.
To achieve this, America needs to win no matter what, either during the ninety minutes of regulation or in extra time, since it is necessary to remember that the away goal no longer counts as a tie-breaking criterion. Therefore, if the tie persists, everything would be defined from the eleven steps.
Cruz Azul, for its part, is still fighting to shake off that ghost. And although in 2021 it seemed to end his curse, after winning his ninth star, when the rival wears azulcrema something happens. That is why it is very important, for the celestials, to take the Olympic lap next Sunday. Winning is also a must for cement workers.
Goalie: Luis Malagón
Defenses: Ramón Juárez, Igor Lichnovsky, Israel Reyes, Cristián Calderón
Midfielders: Álvaro Fidalgo, Jonathan Dos Santos, Diego Valdés
Forwards: Alejandro Zendejas, Julián Quiñones, Henry Martín
Goalie: Kevin Mier
Defenses: Gonzalo Piovi, Carlos Salcedo, Willer Ditta, Carlos Rotondi, Rodrigo Huescas
Midfielders: Lorenzo Faravelli, Charly Rodríguez, Uriel Antuna, Ignacio Rivero
Forward: Ángel Sepúlveda
#alignments #América #Cruz #Azul #leg #final #Clausura