Cruz Azul's first preseason game ends with a win

Cruz Azul had its first friendly game for the Clausura 2022. With goals of Jonathan Rodríguez and Rodrigo Huescas, the team led by Juan Reynoso defeated Venados, a team from the Liga de Expansión MX.

The fixture was played in Mérida at Carlos Iturralde Stadium, Venados home. Reynoso started one team for the first half and a completely different one for the second half.

First half starting lineup

With 11 minutes on the clock, the home side took the lead, but the response was immediate, although not entirely effective, as although Roberto Alvarado scored the equalizer, the goal was disallowed for offside. 

For the second half, the Peruvian manager modified his entire eleven and they were able to turn the game around. First, Huescas scored in the 72nd minute and Cabecita made it 2-1 almost at the end of the match at the Carlos Iturralde stadium through a penalty kick.

Second half lineup

Christian Tabó, the only reinforcement signed by La Máquina so far, did not play any minutes with his new side. 

Roberto Alvarado's situation

Despite being very close to becoming a Chivas player, 'Piojo' started in Cruz Azul's starting line-up against Venados de Mérida. Coach Juan Reynoso decided that Alvarado would be in the starting 11, despite the fact that the Cementero team is in negotiations to bring the Mexican midfielder to Guadalajara.

Piojo' Alvarado scored in the 18th minute, but the referee ruled that the player was offside and the goal was disallowed. Alvarado only played the first 45 minutes of the match at the Carlos Iturralde Stadium and came on as a substitute when the home team was leading 1-0. 

Piojo' Alvarado became the Rebaño's target after failing to secure the signing of America's Sebastián Córdova who will become Tigres player.

After almost 10 days of negotiations, Cruz Azul and Guadalajara expect to make official in the coming days the trade of Roberto Alvarado for Uriel Antuna and Alejandro Mayorga, in what will be one of the surprises of the winter transfer window for the Liga MX.

Once this transaction is completed, Cruz Azul would have their second and third reinforcements (Antuna and Mayorga) after the arrival of Uruguayan Christian Tabó. Cruz Azul will still be looking to add a central defender and a defensive midfielder in the winter transfer window, as well as to place Lucas Passerini, Alexis Gutiérrez, and Jaiber Jiménez in other clubs.

Cruz Azul's next preseason games

The Celestes continue their preparation for the next season. Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, they will continue with beach training and then return to Mexico City. On Thursday 23 they will face Pachuca in the second preparation match.