The Leon vs Cruz Azul Liga MX playoff match will be played this Wednesday, April 30, 2014 (8:00 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Nou Camp. Panzas Verdes and Cementeros are ready to play in what is expected to become one of the most exciting quarterfinals in this Clausura 2014 ‘liguilla’. Although it is the #1 seed Cruz Azul against the #8 seed Leon, both sides have the talent and experience necessary to go deep into the championship run.
The cementeros have had a phenomenal semester in all aspects of the game. They finished first in the league with 36 points with the second best offense (28 goals) and a good defense (19 goals against). It is not surprising that that finished on top of the table when one looks at their talented squad, but it is incredible when one analyses that this is their first season under Luis Fernando Tena, and that at the same time they competed and won the CONCACAF Champions League.
Against Leon, Cruz Azul will have a very difficult first-leg match as they enter a difficult stadium and under the pressure of one of the best fan-bases in the country. The cementeros must style an intelligent counter-attacking game in order to prevent Leon from scoring any goals.
The team coached by Gustavo Matosas lived through and incredible story in order to reach the playoffs. In Mexico, it is extremely uncommon for a team to reach the finals with only 23 points, but Leon changed that last week after defeating Xolos of Tijuana plus a series of results which all went in their favor.
Last week, the ‘fiera’ had just been eliminated from the Copa Libertadores and their mood was dead, as they had basically become eliminated from all competitions this semester. With the incredible faith that has them in the playoffs, Leon will now be able to focus on only one competition, with nothing to lose, yet knowing that that must defend their title with one of the best talented squads in the league.
Leon vs Cruz Azul Prediction
The Leon vs Cruz Azul series is been referred to as the best series in this ‘liguilla’; this is because it is the last champion against the current number 1 team in the league. While many have high hopes on Leon, the reality is that the panzas verdes have been very irregular all semester long as opposed to Cruz Azul who has played fantastic. The cementeros will not lose the season to a #8 seed, and while they will not win at the Nou Camp, they will leave Leon with a good score. The Leon vs Cruz Azul match will end in a 1-1 tie.
Leon vs Cruz Azul TV Schedule
The Leon vs Cruz Azul match will be televised on Telemundo at 8:00 PM Pacific.
Leon vs Cruz Azul Highlights
The Leon vs Cruz Azul video highlights will be uploaded soon after the end of the match.
