The Liga MX Clausura 2025 has reached its eighth jornada, featuring Cruz Azul and Querétaro as two teams with different objectives confronting each other at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Cruz Azul, aiming to secure the fourth position on the league table, hosts the Gallos Blancos, who are striving to stay competitive for the repechaje.
Cruz Azul arrives at this match with some significant momentum, having achieved four wins, one draw, and one loss under the guidance of Uruguayan coach Vicente Sánchez. This marks quite the turnaround since the team had previously struggled when led by former coach Martín Anselmi, who departed for Porto of the Portuguese league. The transition appears to be fruitful, as evidence suggests the team has shown marked improvement since Sánchez's appointment.
One of the standout players for Cruz Azul this season has been Ignacio Rivero, who has netted three goals across his last three appearances. This performance has played a pivotal role, contributing six points to the team's standings.
On the other side, Querétaro finds itself under pressure, having only accumulated seven points so far this season. They are facing challenges, particularly from their former goalkeeper Guillermo Allison, who has faced criticism from fans due to several goals conceded throughout the tournament. This match presents them with both opportunity and challenge—a win could breathe new life and hopes for their season.
The team managed by Benjamín Mora has already seen two wins, four losses, and one draw this season, indicating they have struggled to find their footing. The upcoming match will be their chance to improve their position, currently sitting fourteenth on the table.
Kick-off for this exciting match is scheduled for 19:05 hours Central Time. Fans eager to follow the action will need to tune in to ViX Premium, the platform holding broadcasting rights for this match since it will not be available through traditional open channels. For those wanting detailed play-by-play coverage, Vamos Azul will also offer minute-by-minute updates, ensuring fans are involved throughout the encounter.
Reflecting on recent performances, Cruz Azul will look to capitalize on their home advantage. The team has played three matches at the Olímpico Universitario, with one win and two draws, indicating they have room for improvement and are eager to secure three points against Querétaro. The previous encounters between these teams have leaned favorably for Cruz Azul, who triumphed over the Gallos Blancos twice last season and secured victories, showcasing the history of their successful rivalry.
Looking at the confirmed line-ups for the evening, Cruz Azul will field Kevin Mier, Jorge Sánchez, Willer Ditta, Jesús Orozco Chiquete, Carlos Rotondi, Erik Lira, Lorenzo Faravelli, Carlos Rodríguez, Mateusz Bogusz, Luka Romero, and Gabriel ‘Toro’ Fernández. Meanwhile, Querétaro's squad for this match includes Jorge Hernández, Omar Mendoza, Franco Russo, José Canale, Francisco Venegas, Kevin Escamilla, Adonis Preciado, Lucas Rodríguez, David Colman, Rodrigo Bogarin, and Antonio De María.
For both teams, the stakes are high. Cruz Azul seeks to return to the top four of the table, particularly as they currently are sitting sixth with 14 points, just behind the leaders. Querétaro, conversely, is fighting to improve its ranking and escape the lower half of the table.
Tonight's match will be the last fixture of this jornada. With both teams needing points for their respective campaigns, fans can expect a fierce battle on the pitch. Will Cruz Azul continue its upward momentum, or can Querétaro turn their fortunes around and make this match one to celebrate?