James Rodríguez Returns for León in Crucial Match Against Cruz Azul

Mexico City, Mexico — James Rodríguez is set to make his return to the pitch for Club León as they prepare for a pivotal match against Cruz Azul in the Liga MX quarterfinals. The match will take place on Sunday, May 11, at 8:00 p.m. local time, following León’s disappointing 2-3 loss in the first leg.

This matchup comes at a particularly difficult time for Club León, who were recently disqualified from the upcoming Club World Cup due to a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Despite their recent setbacks, the team remains hopeful, primarily due to the anticipated return of team captain Rodríguez. He was suspended for the first leg after receiving a red card in a regular-season match against Monterrey. His absence was felt by both the team and fans, given his prominent role and leadership on the field.

Rodríguez has been a key player for León since joining the team earlier this year, contributing two goals and six assists in 16 appearances. His teammates recognize his crucial impact, with Steven Mendoza stating, “We know the quality of James. He leads us and will contribute a lot.”

Head coach Eduardo Berizzo has indicated plans to adjust the team’s tactics to maximize Rodríguez’s presence, emphasizing the need for a more offensive strategy to create opportunities for scoring.

As for Rodríguez’s conditioning, earlier concerns about his ankle injury seem to have abated, and he is expected to be ready to lead León as they seek a comeback against Cruz Azul.

Knowing they need a victory to keep their championship hopes alive, León aims to turn around their recent fortune, which includes just one win in their last seven matches. The significance of this game cannot be overstated, as both teams vie for a spot in the semifinals of the tournament.

The previous encounter in regular-season play saw Cruz Azul best León with a 2-1 victory, adding more pressure on the Esmeralda players to overcome this challenge. With Rodríguez leading the charge, fans are hopeful for a better outcome in the upcoming leg.