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Cruz Azul For A Miracle In the Inferno
Everything indicates that the superior Diablos are closer to their ninth star than Cruz Azul, who are now obligated to do what appears impossible for any hope to take the title from “La Bombonera.”
Dec 13, 2008 10:19:08 AM
Who: Toluca vs. Cruz Azul vs. Toluca
What: Apertura 2008 Final, Second Leg
When: Sunday, December 14, 2008
10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET,
Where: Estadio Nemesio Díez,
Toluca, México
TV: Telemundo
La Máquina Celeste of Cruz Azul have a difficult task at hand to have any hopes of hoisting the trophy this Sunday, when they visit Toluca in the decisive and final encounter of the Torneo Apertura 2008.
With a two goal advantage for Toluca from their first leg victory, the Celestes only have one option, to surmount the deficit and be champion.
However, the mission will not be easy, since they face a Toluca side that has only received one goal and is undefeated in the past 10 matches.
With their sights set on the title of the Torneo Apertura 2008, Cruz Azul is obligated to defeat the Diablos Rojos in the "inferno" and fortress of “La Bombonera.”
Or else, Toluca will become the third most winning team of Mexican football, with nine titles to their name.
Toluca
Even with a comfortable series advantage and imposing playing form, the Choriceros and their manager José Manuel de la Torre, have not started to celebrate.
They have demonstrated the utmost respect for their rival by accepting that the final is not over and will avoid falling in excessive confidence given all the conditions in their favor.
The Diablos are a serious, well-balanced squad revolved around the ball recovery and distribution of a compelling midfield led by Israel López and Martín Romagnoli. Not to mention, the creativity of Antonio Naelson 'Sinha' who simply destroyed the Cementero defense in the previous encounter.
However, what has characterized De La Torre's Toluca is the display of defensive solidity, led by captain Paulo Da Silva and the reliability of an almost impassable goalkeeper Hernán Cristante.
Toluca's stronghold has upheld an impressive run of ten unbeaten matches with only one goal received, numbers that have declared them the best defense of the current campaign.
To justify the "inferno" of the Estadio Nemesio Díez (La Bombonera), Toluca only suffered one defeat in the Apertura 2008 against Chivas back in August and in the past three seasons were on the negative side of the result on a mere three occasions.
Cruz Azul
The Cementeros simply failed to demonstrate any reaction in the first leg, which has cost them dearly and leaves them paddling uphill against a strong current.
Cruz Azul appeared to forget the good football they displayed in the semifinals and quickly lost the tactical order that manager Benjamín Galindo worked all season to forge and put into effect.
To make matters worse, Cruz Azul must defeat on three occasions and in 90 minutes goalkeeper Cristante, who recently established the Mexican clean-sheet record of 772 minutes without receiving a goal.
That fact paints a bleak picture for the squad of La Noria, since they need a difference of three goals to overcome the series deficit and take the title, or at least, score two and draw in the aggregate score to obligate extra time and continue dreaming.
However, the Cementeros were a better side on the road in the early rounds of the Liguilla earning important away results against Pumas and Atlante that got them to this do-or-die moment.
The Match
Given all the facts and statistics the champion appears to have already been decided, but there is nothing written in football and there are still 90 minutes left in the final of the Torneo Apertura 2008.
Cruz Azul do not solely depend on a miracle for their title dream, since they count with the precedent of positive away results in the playoffs and a deficit that is not as complicated as it sounds. If they get on the scoreboard first they will not only make the final exciting, but keep their title hopes alive.
However, overturning such situation has never occurred in a final of Mexican football and given the almost invincible nature of the locals, it seems an unattainable feat.
A goal will virtually seal the deal for Toluca, who gave a football lecture in the first leg, with an intelligent tactical display, solid defense and effective offense.
It remains a mystery if the Diablos will repeat the dose, but if they deliver another dominant display, then justifiably the best team was crowned at the imposing "Bombonera."
In an important side note, in the final of Mexican football the away goals rule and table position do not apply, so a draw in the aggregate score will lead to extra time and if the parity continues, shots from the penalty spot.
-- César García covers México for Goal.com.
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