Cruz Azul returned to winning ways. On their return home, they beat Chivas and showed that they are the team that plays the best in this Apertura 2024 and that, despite the defeat they suffered in the middle of the week in San Luis Potosí, they are more of a leader than ever.
A solitary goal by Ignacio Rivero was enough to take the three points and secure the lead in the competition, in which Rayados is close behind.
Chivas opted for a counterattack; however, despite the efforts of Roberto Alvarado and Alan Mozo in particular, they were held to zero.
WIN AGAIN
Cruz Azul returned home to welcome Chivas. After losing their unbeaten streak midweek, the blue team returned to their home, which has been weighing on them since returning to the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium.
With Gonzalo Piovi absent due to expulsion, Erik Lira was a starter.
Chivas, for its part, arrived without Javier Hernández, Cade Cawell, Pável Pérez and Gilberto “Tiba” Sepúlveda, so Fernando Gago made a more defensive proposal and bet on the counterattack.
The right wing was the best for the visitors and with Alan Mozo and “Piojo” Alvarado they tried to put the red and white team ahead.
Mozo advanced and passed the midfield. The red-and-white full-back raised his head and lobbed the ball. Mier was a few metres ahead of the goal line and pulled back to clear it with his nails.
Mozo tried again and shot at the near post, but once again the Colombian goalkeeper dove to send it over the goal.
On the other side, Luis Romo tried to shoot at goal, but the defense moved to deflect the ball.
Little by little, the sky blues took control of the match and pushed Chivas back.
Rotondi was the best player in the first half. The Argentine midfielder made his individual move, got past two visiting defenders and when he was about to shoot at goal, “Pollo” Briseño made a slide to block the ball.
Cruz Azul maintained possession of the ball and tried again with Rodo, who made runs along the entire left wing, to reach the goal line and to defend, during the first half.
Alexis Gutiérrez took the ball and passed it to Rotondi, who made an effort and ran until he ran out of space. On the corner kick, the rebound fell to Charly Rodríguez, who hit it with power and well over the goal.
At certain points in the first half, the visiting fans chanted “Chivas, Chivas,” but the home crowd remained silent with boos.
In another play, Rodo was getting ready to throw the shot, but he was surprised by José Castillo, who rejected it to the side.
That’s how they went to the break.
In the second half, Alvarado tried to put the Rebaño ahead and sent a left-footed shot that went over the goal.
At 60 minutes, Romo headed the ball wide, deflected by the red-and-white defence. On the corner kick, Ignacio Rivero jumped, won the mark and sent it to the back of the net.
In response, Alvarado looked down the left flank, but found no finisher, as Ditta deflected it wide.
Giakoumakis returned from the muscle problem that had kept him out of the last few games. He soon had his first chance, but as he tried to make contact with the ball inside the box, an opponent hit the ball and took it from him.
“Piojo” continued to search, even though the score was against his team. Without many options to rely on, the former cement worker went from one side of the field to the other, trying to enter the area, but he couldn’t.
“Oso” González recovered the ball when Cruz Azul tried to get out, raised his head and sent the service to the second post, where “Hormiga” González was already waiting, but missed her shot.
“Piojo” tried again, made the effort and tried to send the ball to the penalty spot, but Mier appeared before him, who kept the ball.
Still in stoppage time, the Guadalajara side had a chance to tie the game. Ricardo Marín, who came on as a substitute, shot with power from outside the area, but Kevin Mier dove back and sent the goal in.
With this result, the cement workers reached 22 points, two more than Monterrey, their closest pursuer; while the team from Guadalajara remained at 14 points.
Next week will not be any easier for Chivas, who will host Monterrey, while Cruz Azul will visit Pachuca, looking to move further away from first place.
