Liga MX leaders face reigning champs in ‘Junior Classic’

Recent history favors Cementeros in ‘Junior Classic’

The champs have their backs against the wall. If they can’t rediscover their form of last season, they could miss out on the playoffs altogether.

It won’t be easy. Up first is América and the Aguilas have sat atop the Liga MX table since Matchday 4. León comes calling on Wednesday and the Esmeraldas are 2 points better than Cruz Azul as I write this. The Cementeros’ season finale is at UNAM and the Pumas are among the hottest teams in Liga MX right now.

Cruz Azul controls its own fate, but “The Blue Machine” must take it one game at a time. That means focusing only on the “Clásico Joven.”

The Cementeros hold a 3-2-0 advantage over América in the past five “Junior Classics.” The Cementeros have not lost to the Aguilas since May 19, 2019, and that mini-streak includes a 5-2 shellacking after which then-América coach Miguel Herrera was hit with a multi-game suspension for a post-game rant littered with homophobic insults targeting the ref.

The Aguilas led that Oct. 5, 2019, match 2-1 at the half before getting overrun by a rampant Cementeros side.

Even if Cruz Azul extends this mini-streak of success, it won’t erase the sting of losing Finals to América the last two times a “Clásico Joven” took place in the Liga MX Final (Apertura 2018 and Clausura 2013).

América does boast an advantage in their head-to-head match-ups overall. The Aguilas have won 26, lost 18 and there have been 22 draws.