Cruz Azul is the lone unbeaten team left in Liga MX. After a very impressive performance against the reigning champions Santos Laguna (in Torreón, no less), La Maquina stands alone atop the table with 5 wins and 2 draws.
Though they took the lead late against Santos thanks to a great team goal finished off by Martín Cauteruccio, Santos hit back in the 85th minute to escape with a 1-1 draw. This result will do little to slow Cruz Azul’s momentum, and they have a great chance to get back to their winning ways next week when they host Veracruz.
Así luce la tabla despues de 7 Jornadas y mantiene el liderato lider Cruz Azul #LIGABancomerMX ???????? pic.twitter.com/ip1x2jqlY8
— Liga Mx ???????? (@LaLigaMxNews) August 27, 2018
Of course, anything can happen in Liga MX, but it’s safe to say La Maquina’s goal has to be the title at this point in time. Come playoff time, will they be able to rise to the challenge?
Maybe. The defense has been almost perfect so far this season. They’ve conceded just two goals, both late and both on the road. They’ve got Tigres, Toluca, and Santos on their resume already. But perhaps the one thing they lack at the moment is true star power. Elías Hernández has been exceptional, but beyond him, there is nobody you can expect to carry the team through a playoff run.
Not every team needs a Gignac, though. Cauteruccio and Milton Caraglio are consistent goalscorers that you can count on to get goals, and again, the defense has been very solid. We’ve seen teams without superstars win in Liga MX, like Chivas a few seasons ago.
Cruz Azul has become famous for squandering their chances at glory, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had thoughts of this team going undefeated and then losing to Necaxa in the quarterfinals. But until the playoffs come around and the inevitable choke does happen (sorry Cruz Azul fans), I say we sit back and enjoy the team that has been putting on a masterclass so far this season.
