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Chivas-Cruz Azul tops Matchday 6 line-up

By Thomas Buckley

Javier López and the Chivas are in desperate need of a win or risk seeing their playoff dreams smashed. They host Cruz Azul on Saturday. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Javier López and the Chivas are in desperate need of a win or risk seeing their playoff dreams smashed. They host Cruz Azul on Saturday. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Chivas v Cruz Azul
If Alexis Vega (left) and J.J. Macías (center) learn how to play together, Chivas fans could see plenty of celebrations like this one. (Photo by Oscar Meza/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Chivas must step up against a revived Cruz Azul side

The Chivas are on a four-game winless streak and were bounced from the Copa MX by second-division Sinaloa. Even so, Cruz Azul will not take Guadalajara lightly.

The Cementeros might have to juggle their back line after central defender Igor Lichnovsky limped off during the first half last week against Pachuca. If he is unable to go, Julio César Domínguez will move inside and Juan Escobar will take over at right back.

On a positive note, midfield dynamo Yoshimar Yotún was back in training this week. The Peru international has been MIA since surgery to repair a broken foot in December. Yotún might not start, but he is available although the Cementeros midfield has found its form of late.

Winger Elías Hernández is healthy and flitting around the field wreaking havoc on opposing defenses and Roberto Alvarado has benefited as a result. Newcomer Luis Romo is starting to assert himself in his holding midfield role, helped by Rafa Baca’s steady play.

The difference for Cruz Azul is the newfound confidence of teen striker Santiago Giménez who is standing in for the injured Milton Caraglio. Santi has scored in each of the past two games and his improved play is opening up space for leading scorer Jonathan Rodríguez.

If the Chivas are to claim their first win since Jan. 11, they must find a way to slow down Cruz Azul’s transition game. Fullbacks Miguel Ponce and José Madueña (a former Cementero) will have to slow down Hernández and Alvarado. Midfielders Jesús Molina and Fernando Beltrán must shut off their cutback lanes and close off easy passing lanes into the box where “Cabecita” Rodríguez is most dangerous.

Macías, Vega and Antuna are still getting familiar with each other thanks to injury absences and they’ll have their hands full with the veteran Cruz Azul back line. Pablo Aguilar is a physical presence, but Macías is adept at creating space, while Vega and Antuna will try to break down the defense with their speed and dribbling.

If the Chivas can maintain intensity for 90 minutes and improve their link-up play through midfield, they should put Cruz Azul keeper Jesús Corona to the test. This should be a fast-paced game with plenty of scoring opportunities. The team that keeps their poise and commits the fewest mental lapses will come out on top.

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