Cruz Azul, Tigres prep for upcoming Liga MX season

Can ‘La Máquina Azul’ end Liga MX dry spell?

Cruz Azul no doubt feels hard done by after the Clausura 2020 was canceled while the club was sitting in first place. Cementeros fans believed their heroes were destined to end their 23-year Liga MX title drought.

Even though “La Máquina” was leading the league when the season was suspended, the Mexico City club had been playing without big striker Milton Caraglio, stud defenseman Pablo Aguilar and midfield dynamo Yoshimar Yotún. Caraglio and Yotún have seen action during the Copa, while Aguilar – who suffered a torn MCL – is likely to be fully fit for the second half of the Guardianes 2020.

The Cementeros usually spend big (and not always wisely) in the summer but the pandemic has kept purse strings closed. Cruz Azul has signed 187 players since winning their last Liga MX title in December 1997, averaging four new faces per season since 1998. During this past winter transfer window, the club signed six players.

Cruz Azul has basically reloaded by signing players off its own injured reserve list, most notably Caraglio. Two other star players that re-upped are defenders Julio César Domínguez and Adrián Aldrete. With Chile international Igor Lichnovsky fit after ankle issues last season and youngster Josue Reyes impressing during the Cup, coach Siboldi has plenty of cover in back until Aguilar returns.

The team has plenty of options in midfield too, with stud Luis Romo set to patrol in front of the Back 4 alongside Yotún or Rafa Baca.

In attack, Siboldi has wingers Elías Hernández and Roberto Alvarado (held out of the Copa as a precaution) who work well with the in-form Jona Rodríguez.

Cruz Azul appears to have a stacked roster and promising youngsters who’ve made bids for playing time with solid Cup performances. And in the past 10 days, veteran depth was added with the acquisition of the versatile José Ignacio Rivero from Xolos and right back “Shaggy” Martínez from Mazatlán FC.