Week 5 will start presenting games in the Copa Corona MX, that are crucial for teams to advance to the next round of the competition. This would include Cruz Azul hosting Queretaro at the Estadio Azul this Wednesday, February 22, 2017 (6:30 PM Pacific). This will be the third time the two teams face each other with the ‘gallos blancos’ having the upper hand with a 1-1 draw and a 3-2 win.
The ‘cementeros’ have not been doing well in the Liga MX or in the Copa MX, being 16th in the league and only accumulating two points in the Copa MX. This game is a must win for Paco Jemez and Cruz Azul to advance to the next stage of the Cup. Cruz Azul has only won one game in 2017 and it came in week 1 of the Liga MX competition, a 1-0 win against Club Necaxa. It seems like Paco Jemez is still far from the hot seat but with the prospect of relegation looming around the franchise, patience may run out for the Spanish manager.
This game is crucial for ‘la maquina’ in the Copa MX, even a win will not put them ahead of their group front-runners, Queretaro who have six points. A loss or even a draw can end the ‘cementeros’ Copa MX campaign, marking another strike for Paco Jemez. It is likely that a few Liga MX starters will get a chance to play in this game, expect to see Angel Mena, Martin Rodriguez or Gabriel Penalba to perhaps feature in this game.
There is a big game against Club America on the weekend for Cruz Azul, but someone like Penalba, who does have stamina may feature in both encounters. Penalba did score the first time these two teams met in week, as well as Martin Cauteruccio. No match for Cruz Azul this year has been easy, it should be a solid match for the ‘cementeros’.
Queretaro has improved with Jaime Lozano as the manager of the team, obtaining seven out of nine possible points in three matches under the new skipper. Lozano’s debut came against Cruz Azul in week 5 of the Liga MX, obtaining a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Azul. Now it is time for rematch against the team, where he once played. The ‘gallos blancos’ top group 2 of the Copa MX with six points and even a loss to ‘la maquina’ will not remove them from the top. Queretaro have changed its pragmatic style of play it once used under Victor Manuel Vucetich, and should bring forth an exciting match in this game.
Some of the standouts to look out for in this game include, Edgar Gerardo Lugo, who scored off the bench in the ‘gallos’ big 4-1 win over Club Necaxa. Another player looking to prove himself is Camilo Sanvezzo who lost his starting position in Queretaro’s starting 11 after several poor performances. The Brazilian striker has proven to be a good player in the Liga MX before, but he is yet to score in five games as a starter in this Clausura. This game should be an exciting hard-fought encounter, with a lot to lose for Cruz Azul.
How to Watch Cruz Azul vs Queretaro
The Cruz Azul vs Queretaro match will be broadcast this Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Galavision
Watch Online: Sling TV (Watch 7 Days Free), FuboTV (Watch 7 Days Free)
