Cruz Azul Faces Atlas in Liga MX Clausura 2025 Opener

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Cruz Azul will kick off its Clausura 2025 campaign in Liga MX this Saturday against Atlas, a team it has struggled to defeat under head coach Martín Anselmi. The match, set for 9:05 PM local time at the Estadio Azteca, marks the first game of the season for both teams.

Since Anselmi took over as Cruz Azul’s coach, the team has faced Atlas twice, resulting in two draws. The first encounter occurred during the Clausura 2024 season, ending in a 2-2 tie at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. Atlas initially led with goals from Eduardo Aguirre and Ángel Márquez, but Cruz Azul rallied with strikes from Ignacio Rivero and Camilo Cándido.

The second meeting took place in the Apertura 2024 season, where Cruz Azul nearly secured a win but was denied by a late equalizer from Edgar Zaldívar. The match ended 2-2, with goals from Aguirre, Alexis Gutiérrez, and Rodolfo Rotondi.

This weekend’s clash will be the third time Anselmi’s Cruz Azul faces Atlas, but with a new twist: Gonzalo Pineda will make his Liga MX coaching debut for Atlas. Cruz Azul has not defeated Atlas in two years, with its last victory coming on February 22, 2023, when Augusto Lotti scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win.

Cruz Azul enters the match with a depleted squad, missing key players Luis Romo, who transferred to Chivas, and captain Ignacio Rivero, who is suspended due to a red card in the Apertura 2024 finale. The team has also struggled to secure reinforcements, adding pressure to Anselmi’s side as they aim to start the season on a positive note.

The game will be broadcast on Canal 2, Mexico’s open television network, and is expected to draw significant attention as both teams look to set the tone for their Clausura 2025 campaigns.