After several seasons with two failures, Cruz Azul returned to the top of the Liga MX in Clausura 2024. The cement team has shown great improvement under the orders of Martín Anselmi. The La Noria team will have to face Pumas in the quarterfinals.
For this duel, the Celeste Machine will not be able to count on Gabriel Fernández and Carlos Vargas, who will miss the remainder of the campaign, nor with Gonzalo Piovi. The Argentine central defender was injured in the match against Toluca and will not be able to be in the first leg against Universidad Nacional.
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Below we tell you the probable lineup that Anselmi would send for the first leg of the quarterfinals between the Celeste Machine and the UNAM team.
Goalkeeper: Kevin Mier -The Colombian goalkeeper has been a true revelation. It seems that his stay in the Machine will be very short because there are several major league clubs closely following Mier.
Central defender: Willer Ditta – The Colombian defender has not had the best season, but he has been recovering his level in recent days. In the absence of Piovi, he is called upon to be the leader in the low team.
Central defense: Carlos Salcedo – The ‘Titan’ was practically ruled out at the beginning of the season, but after the departure of Juan Escobar he ended up staying in the squad. In the second half of the contest he was used more by Anselmi and showed improvement.
Central defense: Rafael Guerrero – After Piovi’s departure, Anselmi could change the system that has served him so well or maintain it and give Guerrero a chance. The ‘Puppy’ has conditions, but this tournament has not been his. If he receives the opportunity, he must take advantage of it.
Right back: Rodrigo Huescas – The side/winger of the Celeste Machine could be experiencing his last matches with the cement club. Huescas aims to play in European football and has not renewed its contract with a view to emigrating to the Old Continent.
Left back: Ignacio Rivero – The Uruguayan footballer plays wherever Anselmi needs him and he more than delivers. In this scheme, Rivero can play as a winger, a role he knows quite well.
Central midfielder: Carlos Rodríguez – The Mexican midfielder had some low levels, but it seems that Anselmi is managing to get one of his best versions. Charly’s good level has made Jaime Lozano call him back to the Mexican National Team.
Central midfielder: Camilo Cándido – Cándido arrived for Cruz Azul this season to occupy the left wing, although at the beginning of this competition he was not as active. Anselmi has placed him in another area of the field, in the middle of the field, and there he has given his best matches.
Central midfielder: Lorenzo Faravelli – The Argentine/Ecuadorian arrived at Cruz Azul at the request of Martín Anselmi. Although he has played most of the minutes in the tournament, the midfielder has kept a low profile. More is still expected of him.
Center forward: Uriel Antuna – Uriel Antuna is the best Cruz Azul player currently. The ‘Brujo’ finished the season as one of the Clausura 2024 scoring champions.
Center forward: Carlos Rotondi – Rotondi does not play like a conventional nine. The coach lets him play very freely and asks him to help on the left wing and collaborate in terms of sacrifice.
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