Circumstances Dictated Cruz Azul's Defensive Stance

Six players were suspended and another handful were injured but Cruz Azul did well to still pull out a 1-0 win over Pumas on Wednesday.

Feb 26, 2009 2:47:07 AM

More On :  Cruz Azul
Jaime Lozano y Pablo Zeballos- Cruz Azul vs Pumas (Mexsport)
Entering their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Pumas on Wednesday, Cruz Azul had several obstacles in their path. Suspension cost them the chance of fielding six players, including Gerardo Torrado and Cesar Villaluz. Additionally, injuries limited coach Benjamin Galindo even further.

Absences, though, could not take away Cruz Azul's effort as la Maquina did well to clamp down on Pumas and win 1-0 in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match on Wednesday in Estadio Azul.
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"Everyone gave a good effort in this game," Galindo said. "I had a lot of suspended players, several injuries and I adjusted with what I had. And to be honest I liked the way the players adapted."

Cruz Azul scored early as Jaime Lozano converted a free kick in the fourth minute. Although Cruz Azul had a few more scoring chances, the club mostly spent the rest of the match defending.

"Yes, I believe that was the idea," Galindo said. "The most important thing was to not give up a goal. Against them, we had to defend as well as possible."

Cruz Azul goalkeeper said that playing defensively was not a way the club would have preferred but there was a reason to their tactics.

"Dropping back and defending was due to circumstances we had to face because had a lot of absences," Blanco said. "We had to take some precautions."

Among the players Galindo was unable to use were Gerardo Lugo, Edgar Andrade, Carlos Bonet and Rogelio Chavez. Even if some of the players return and make their way onto the matchday roster or starting lineup, Galindo cautioned against feeling overconfident because of that.


"It could be advantageous to have the suspended players back," Galindo said. "I think next week we will be much more complete and we'll go out there and try to win. It may or may not be an advantage, it will all depend on us."

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