América Faces Pressure Ahead of Crucial Cruz Azul Match

México City, Mexico – As Club América prepares to face Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, pressure mounts for the team to advance. Coach André Jardine emphasized that while the match holds significance, it is not markedly different from previous encounters.

“It’s not different from other classics. If they want to beat us, it’s the same, whether it’s Cruz Azul or any other team. The goal is unchanged: to win trophies and reach finals,” Jardine stated. He added that every match feels important, yet the objectives remain constant.

América enters the game with an advantage, having scored an away goal. A single goal from them would require Cruz Azul to score two to advance to the semifinals. Despite this, América faces challenges with injuries. Notably, forward Henry Martín and defender Dagoberto Espinoza will miss the match due to injuries. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Aguirre will start on the bench, and while Alan Cervantes avoided a fracture, he has not been able to train with the team.

Following the first leg of the matchup, goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón faced scrutiny for his comments about enjoying the match result with a whisky. However, Malagón defended himself, maintaining he was simply trying to cope with the stress of being a public figure. “I am at peace with what I said that night. I never intended to set a bad example,” he remarked. “After each match, I like to unwind to deal with the stress — it’s a lot to handle, and I respect the pressures Coach Jardine faces.”