Shorthanded Cruz Azul Side Ready For Pumas

Cruz Azul will be missing several key players including Gerardo Torrado but the club is primed for Wednesday's CCL match against Pumas.

Feb 25, 2009 1:50:32 AM

More On :  Cruz Azul
Benjamin Galindo- DT Cruz Azul (Tomas Fregoso)
The CONCACAF Champions League returns and one of the anticipated match-ups is that of Cruz Azul against Pumas. La Maquina qualified as the second-place team in Group A and will now have to face a fellow Mexican team who came out on top of Group B.

Los Cementeros come in with a 4-2 win over Necaxa from the weekend.  Goalkeeper Alfonso Blanco knows that one Mexican team will have to leave the completion in the quarter finals, but hopes that Cruz Azul will be the one to advance.
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“We didn’t qualify in the first place of the group as we wanted and now we’re in the quarterfinals," Blanco said. "And oh well, Mexico will be left without a representative and we hope that we remain in the competition.”

Cruz Azul will also have to deal with the absences of a few key players including Gerardo Torrado, who is out due to an accumulation of cards. In his place, Hector Gutierrez will make his debut in the CONCACAF Champions League against Pumas. He had already debuted in the Mexican league against them in the quarterfinals of the Apertura 2008.

“‘Professor’ Galindo always gives us confidence. He’s never taken us as the youngest or the kids, he treats us all as players,” said Gutierrez. “He asks the same of everyone, is our responsibility and obligation to all respond in the same way,” he added, citing the equal playing field of the team.


Blanco said he knows that Cruz Azul are committed to get to the finals and win a place for the FIFA Club World Cup Finals. He revealed that the board has expressed this much to the players. Despite the absences, Blanco predicts a tough game.

"It’s known that we have a few absences and very important ones, but we have a good group and we’re all at a good level," he said. "We feel capable of doing well (Wednesday). I wouldn’t go as far as to say that we’re favorites, both teams have a good squad, I think it’ll be an even match.”

Andrea Martínez, Goal.com

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