The Cruz Azul vs Toluca CONCACAF Champions League first-leg final will take place this Tuesday, April 15, 2014 (5:00 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Azul. Cementeros and Diablos Rojos face-off in the first of two games which will conclude with the CCL club champion which will represent the region in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. Both teams have been very efficient in the tournament, and they are also #1 and #2 in the Liga MX, which does not create favorite entering the final.
The Maquina Azul reached the final after defeating Xolos of Tijuana in the semifinals. In the first leg at the Estadio Caliente, Cruz Azul lost 0-1, in a game where they failed to produce offensively. To their fortune, the second leg at the Estadio Azul was a completely different game where they controlled the ball, and had several serious scoring opportunities. They won that match 2-0, however, they finished the game involved in a nasty brawl. In the post-game incident, goalkeeper Jesus Corona was given a red-card, which will keep the Mexican international out of the first game against Toluca.
The team coached by Jose Saturnino Cardozo reached the final after eliminating Alajuelense from Costa Rica in the semifinals with a 3-0 aggregate score. In those two games, Toluca was superior as they did not have a real problem defeating their rival. Against Cruz Azul, the ‘chorizeros’ will have a much more difficult opponent, as they face Mexico’s and possibly CONCACAF’s current best team.
The Concachampions first-leg final will be played intensely between Mexico’s current two best teams. Leading up to the semifinals and now the final, both sides have used semi-alternate or even alternate starting lineups in their Liga MX games. That shows that the CCL is taken as a strong responsibility for both clubs, and winning this tournament is a huge objective in their agendas.
Cruz Azul vs Toluca Prediction
Cementeros and Diablos will give the viewer an exciting game, filled with intensity, with the same quality as a Liga MX final. Both teams have focused on winning the CONCACAF Champions League, showing that this final will be a great one. In the first leg, Cruz Azul will be the proponent as the home team, where Toluca will look to defend and play on the counter-attack. This Tuesday, the ‘cementeros’ will leave with a victory, although the series will be defined as the Nemesio Diez. The Cruz Azul vs Toluca first-leg final will end in a 2-1 win for the Maquina Azul.
Cruz Azul vs Toluca TV Schedule
The Cruz Azul vs Toluca match will be televised on Univision Deportes at 5:00 PM Pacific.
Cruz Azul vs Toluca Highlights
The Cruz Azul vs Toluca video highlights will be uploaded soon after the end of the match.
