Two of the four Liga MX Apertura 2017 semifinalists were known this Saturday and two more will emerge this Sunday. It seems like Monterrey will prevail against Atlas but the fixture between Club America and Cruz Azul is still very contested as the first leg ended in a scoreless draw. The second leg will be at the Estadio Azteca and many have written Cruz Azul off because of previous results against Club America but this could prove to be a complicated game for Las Aguilas and here is three reasons why.
1.Red Cards
The First leg was not a necessarily good display by either Mexico City team but it an especially poor display by Club America. Two of Miguel Herrera’s players received red cards and will be big blows to the team in this game. Defender Edson Alvarez and midfielder Matheus Uribe received the red cards and will not be available for this return leg. America’s back line has been particularly weak recently and will now be without Alvarez while the midfield will lose a player that is good at both defending and going forward in Matheus Uribe.
2.Struggling Offense
Including that scoreless first leg against Cruz Azul, Los Azulcremas have only scored two goals in their last five Liga MX games. Los Celestes have not been much better with only four goals in this span but they have been better and have looked more promising in the attack. The strike partnership of Oribe Peralta and Silvio Romero is one of the more uninspiring attacks in these Liga MX playoffs. The pair combined for just nine goals in the regular season, less than what joint-top scorers Mauro Boselli and Aviles Hurtado had each. The midfield has also struggled to generate much and the absence of Matheus Uribe will only complicate things even more.
3.Home-Field Disadvantage
Yes, Cruz Azul seems to always struggle at the Estadio Azteca but recently Club America has struggled in front of its home support as well. Las Aguilas only had seven home games in the Apertura 2017 and only managed to win three.
Los Capitalinos lost two of the other four home games and tied two, Miguel Herrera’s men inclusively failed to win their last two games at the Estadio Azteca. The latest result at home for Club America was a 1-1 draw against Puebla and before that came a 1-0 loss to Necaxa. The massive stadium is not always an advantage and can prove to be Club America’s downfall along with the other factors mentioned.
How to Watch Club America vs Cruz Azul
The Club America vs Cruz Azul match will be broadcast this Sunday, November 26 at 6:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
Watch Live Online: Sling TV (Watch 7 Days Free)
