This Sunday, August 26, 2018, Santos Laguna will host Cruz Azul at the Estadio Corona TSM for a game in the seventh round of matches in the Liga MX 2018 Apertura. Click here to read where to watch Santos vs Cruz Azul online and TV.
Both teams have a history with each other that involves important games and several players that have played for both teams. A lot of the players that have played for both clubs have been impactful, here are five players that have been Guerreros and Celestes.
Adrian Aldrete
Aldrete is establishing himself as a fan-favorite at Cruz Azul with 41 appearances with the team since the 2016 Apertura competition. The Mexican fullback played with Santos Laguna from 2014-2016 and was able to earn some silverware with a Copa MX title in the Apertura 2014 and a Liga MX trophy in the 2015 Clausura, both with his current manager at Cruz Azul Pedro Caixinha.
Alejandro Castro
Castro started off his career with La Maquina and had different stints with the Mexico City side from 2005-2016. He is an infamous figure in the Celestes’ history for his performance in the Clausura 2013 final against archrivals Club America. Castro missed a penalty and deflected a header by goalkeeper Moises Munoz into his own net that would be a late game-tying goal. The 31-year-old defender was picked up by Santos Laguna this season and is yet to make his Liga MX debut, but he has featured in Copa MX fixtures.
Nestor Araujo
Another Cruz Azul youth product on the list, Nestor Araujo started off his career with La Maquina in 2010. He had 49 appearances with the team, but he was average at best and he was transferred to Santos Laguna in 2013. In Torreon, Araujo became one of the best defenders in the league, won two league titles and earned consistent callups to the Mexico national team. Araujo recently earned himself a transfer to Spanish team Celta de Vigo where he is being coached by former Monterey coach Antonio Mohamed.
Javier Orozco
“Chuletita” is another Cruz Azul youth product that went on to be successful with Santos Laguna. Orozco made his debut in 2005 and was transferred in and out of the first team as he finished his tenure at Cruz Azul with 63 goals in 171 appearances in all competitions. In 2013, the Mexican striker was transferred to Santos Laguna and he became a hero at the club as he scored four goals in the 2015 Clausura final against Queretaro that would lead Santos to the silverware.
Benjamin Galindo
Galindo is considered a legend with Chivas de Guadalajara, but he also left his mark with Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul. “El Maestro” played with the Celestial Warriors from 1994-1997 and was a key component to the team’s first championship in the 1996 Invierno season. The Mexican midfielder then went on to play with Cruz Azul from 1997-1999 and he helped La Maquina obtain its latest title to date in the 1997 Invierno season. Galindo has also coached both teams in the past as he continues to make his presence with Los Guerreros and Los Celestes.
