Sports
Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL Clash in Highly Anticipated Friendly Match in Dallas
Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL faced off in a highly anticipated friendly match on Saturday, November 16, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. This encounter was part of the teams’ preparations for the upcoming Liguilla of the Apertura 2024 season in the Liga MX.
The match, which kicked off at 7:00 PM local time (19:00 hours Central Mexico Time), was broadcast live through the official Facebook and YouTube channels of Tigres UANL, ensuring that fans could follow the action from anywhere[3][4].
Both teams had significant absences due to injuries and international call-ups. Cruz Azul, who finished as the leader of the Apertura 2024 with 42 points, had several key players out due to muscle injuries. This friendly provided an opportunity for coach Martín Anselmi to give minutes to players who have not been regular starters, including young talent[3].
Tigres UANL, on the other hand, opted not to risk their vital players, with coach Veljko Paunović fielding a team mostly composed of substitutes. This strategy aimed to give non-regular players a chance to compete and potentially earn a spot in the starting lineup for future matches[3].
The two teams had previously met in the Apertura 2024 season, resulting in a 1-1 draw. This friendly match was crucial for both sides to maintain their competitive rhythm before the Liguilla begins on November 21[4].