Two weeks after a disastrous result against las Chivas de Guadalajara, Club America step into a chance at some form of redemption as they face Cruz Azul on Saturday at the Estadio Azul in another edition of the Clasico Joven.
Over the course of five games, America has lacked output on all fronts as they have picked up only one win, two draws, and two losses.
In America’s training sessions leading up to its game against their city rivals, Oribe Peralta has worked with the first team and could be ready to play this weekend.
But even with Peralta possibly returning to the field after more than a month away because of injury, his return can’t guarantee a solution to the problems plaguing America. America’s ability to hold leads disappeared after their win over Veracruz almost a month ago. Against Chivas, the offense couldn’t come up with a single play to bother Chivas’ goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota. In return, Chivas scored a pair of goals on the counter, a tactic once a stronghold for America.
Cruz Azul doesn’t come into the weekend rivalry game in any better shape than its opponent. At seven games into the season, Cruz Azul registers only one win in Liga MX play and a meager six goals. Cruz Azul added Erick “Cubo” Torres from the Houston Dynamo onto its squad to address its absence of wins. During his time with the Dynamo, Torres had one assist in 11 appearances. While not the high priced signing Cruz Azul fans expected, seeing how Tomas Boy chooses to incorporate Torres, who has gone goalless with the Dynamo, makes it an intriguing point to ponder.
Boy’s rough tenure with Cruz Azul carries fair criticism with Cruz Azul underperforming with a squad among the most expensive in Liga MX. This edition of El Clasico Joven places both sides in desperate need of a win with both failing to meet expectations. America’s loss to Chivas exposed the team’s missing chemistry. Rubens Sambueza could never find a man open, and when he did connect on the pass, America turned the ball over or had it stripped on an individual play. Peralta could give the team his reliable presence at the front, but if Cruz Azul prevents Peralta from engaging in the game, America’s offense hasn’t shown it can excel or recover.
Last Meeting
Club America 3-3 Cruz Azul - February 20, 2016 - Liga MX
Las Aguilas managed to get a draw despite two red cards.