The quarterfinals of the 2024 Apertura tournament feature an intriguing clash between Cruz Azul and Tijuana. On paper, the matchup seems rather one-sided, with Cruz Azul arriving as the top seed after a historic regular season, while Tijuana secured their spot in the final eight after surviving two Play-In matches. Cruz Azul will face Tijuana for the first time ever in the Liguilla, adding another layer of excitement to this already highly anticipated matchup.
Key Dates:
- First Leg: Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 21:10 (22:10 ET) at Estadio Caliente
- Second Leg: Saturday, November 30, 2024, 19:10 (20:10 ET) at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes
Cruz Azul: Historic Regular Season
Cruz Azul, led by coach Martín Anselmi, dominated the 2024 Apertura with a historic regular season, finishing with 42 points—a record in short tournaments with 17 matches. The team posted 13 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 loss, the best overall record in the league. This incredible performance saw Cruz Azul not only lead the table but also finish with the best offense, scoring 39 goals, and the best defense, conceding just 12.
The team’s home form was also stellar. At Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Cruz Azul collected 23 out of a possible 27 points, suffering only two draws (against Tigres and Toluca) and one loss (against Atlético de San Luis). This impressive home form makes them a tough opponent in the quarterfinals, especially in the second leg, which will be played at their fortress.
Tijuana: A Historic Return to the Liguilla
Tijuana’s journey to the Liguilla has been nothing short of remarkable. After five years of missing out on postseason action, the team made a successful return under the guidance of Juan Carlos Osorio. The club finished the regular season in 7th place with 29 points but secured their spot in the quarterfinals after an intense Play-In round. In their first match, Tijuana lost to América 2-1, but they bounced back in the second leg, defeating Atlas to claim the final spot in the Liguilla.
Despite finishing lower in the table, Tijuana’s performance has been commendable. They have managed to remain unbeaten in their last four matches, with a 1-1 draw against FC Juárez and a 2-1 win over Puebla to close the regular season. In the Play-In, they earned a 2-2 draw with América but fell short in the penalty shootout before defeating Atlas to advance.
Key Players to Watch:
Cruz Azul’s Rodolfo Rotondi
One of the standout players for Cruz Azul this season has been Argentine Rodolfo Rotondi. He finished as the team’s top scorer in the regular season with seven goals. Rotondi was also involved in 11 of the team’s 39 goals, contributing to both scoring and assisting duties. His versatility has been key for Cruz Azul, as he has played in various roles, including left-back and attacking midfielder. With his ability to create chances and score, Rotondi will be crucial in the quarterfinals.
Tijuana’s Giorgos Giakoumakis
On the other side, Tijuana’s Giorgos Giakoumakis has been a key offensive threat for the team. His performance in the regular season, with a solid number of goals and assists, makes him a player to watch. In the 3-0 loss to Cruz Azul earlier in the season, Giakoumakis was a constant danger for the opposing defense, and he will look to make an impact in this quarterfinal matchup. His ability to score and hold up the ball will be vital in Tijuana’s quest to pull off an upset.
Head-to-Head Record:
Historically, Cruz Azul has had the upper hand against Tijuana. The two teams have faced each other 27 times in Liga MX, with Cruz Azul winning 12 of those encounters, while Tijuana has only come out victorious 6 times. The remaining 9 matches ended in draws. This record further tilts the odds in favor of Cruz Azul, who also defeated Tijuana 3-0 in the third round of the 2024 Apertura season.
In terms of knockout competitions, this will be the first time these two teams meet in a Liguilla. However, there is a previous meeting in the 2018 Copa MX round of 16, where Cruz Azul eliminated Tijuana on their way to winning the tournament. The victory gave La Máquina confidence, as they would go on to defeat Monterrey in the final to claim the Copa MX title.
Tactical Breakdown:
Cruz Azul’s Dominance
Cruz Azul enters this quarterfinal matchup as the heavy favorite. Their impressive regular-season form, which includes a dominant offense and a rock-solid defense, makes them formidable opponents. With players like Rotondi leading the charge and a defense that has conceded the fewest goals in the tournament, they are well-equipped to advance past Tijuana. In the first leg, Cruz Azul will likely focus on maintaining possession and controlling the tempo, while also looking for opportunities to exploit Tijuana’s defense with quick counterattacks.
Tijuana’s Resilience
Tijuana, while underdogs, have shown resilience in their journey to the quarterfinals. They will need to rely on their defensive organization and counterattacks to pose a threat to Cruz Azul. With players like Giakoumakis and their solid midfield, Tijuana will look to disrupt Cruz Azul’s rhythm and capitalize on any defensive lapses. The key for Tijuana will be to remain compact defensively and take advantage of set pieces and long balls into the attacking third.
Prediction:
Given Cruz Azul’s dominant regular-season form and superior overall quality, they are the clear favorites in this matchup. Their attacking prowess, led by Rodolfo Rotondi, and solid defensive record will likely prove too much for Tijuana to handle over the two legs.
While Tijuana may have the advantage in the first leg at Estadio Caliente, where they have only lost one match this season, Cruz Azul’s fortress-like home record at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes will likely be decisive in the second leg. Cruz Azul is expected to advance to the semifinals, but Tijuana’s resilience and counterattacking style may make this a more competitive series than many expect.
Final Score Prediction: Cruz Azul 3-1 Tijuana (Agg. 4-2)