Cruz Azul Trying To Salvage Season

After a complete and total collapse, Cruz Azul are hoping to avoid finishing in last place.

May 1, 2009 7:13:43 PM

More On :  Cruz Azul
Gerardo Torrado- Cruz Azul (Mexsport)
An improbable run for Cruz Azul was the starting point for the Clausura 2009 season.

After all, la Maquina had reached two consecutive league finals and although the club did not win, the days of a championship drought seemed to be nearing an end.

Instead, the bottom has fallen out from underneath Cruz Azul, and the team’s embarrassingly painful season is nearing an end.
Don't Miss

How far have things fallen for la Maquina? While the goal of winning the Clausura ’09 championship has long since vanished, players are finding a bit of motivation to get them through the last stretch of an otherwise forgettable season.

“Personally and professionally, I can say that I do not like to lose,” Cruz Azul captain Gerardo Torrado said. “Every time I step on the field I look to obtain results. We need to finish with our heads held high and not in last place.”

Entering Jornada 16 - the penultimate week of the season - Cruz Azul sit at the bottom of the overall table with just 12 points. Ahead of Cruz Azul are Tigres, Necaxa and Atlante, each of whom have 13. La Maquina's defense has also allowed an astonishing 29 goals this season.

Cruz Azul will not be playing for the chance to win their ninth league title – but just the first since 1997. The team’s title runs went up in smoke due in large part to a porous defense that could do little to stop opposing offenses.


While the domestic campaign has been dismal, Cruz Azul might still rescue something from the first half of 2009, an achievement that could set up the second half of 2009 quite nicely.

“We were not able to reach the goals we had set for ourselves at the beginning of the season, which was to reach the Liguilla,” Torrado said. “But we still have the return leg of the CONCA-Champions left. I believe there the team still has a chance to turn things around and win the title.”

Atlante hold a 2-0 aggregate lead in the CONCACAF Champions League final and, with the second and decisive leg set for May 12, la Maquina still have a chance to add to their mantle.

“We just have to be aware of the situation,” Torrado said.

Goal.com

For more coverage of the Clausura 2009 season, visit Goal.com’s Mexican Football section.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.