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Photograph by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Photographs

In one other version of the Clasico Joven, Membership América and Cruz Azul battled to a scoreless draw within the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. All the pieces can be on the road subsequent Tuesday within the second leg of the Champions Cup.

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América bought the ball rolling early on as they set the tempo with their incessant assaults within the first jiffy. Brian Rodriguez made his approach up the left facet however earlier than he might attain the field he was dispossessed. Cruz Azul tried to begin a counterattack however have been denied by the Aguilas protection. Within the fourth minute the primary foul of the night time was referred to as and the Aguilas have been in a harmful spot outdoors of the field. Rodriguez was the one who stepped as much as take the free kick the place he positioned the ball into the field, however it was kicked out for a nook that went nowhere. Two minutes later Alejandro Zendejas was fouled near the sting of the field and as soon as once more Rodriguez stepped as much as take the free kick. Since he was nearer to the purpose this time the Uruguayan went straight for purpose, however it went over the crossbar. Two minutes later and one other foul was referred to as on La Maquina as Ignacio Rivero fouled Zendejas who would’ve taken off if he was not stopped. It was evident how annoyed the Cruz Azul gamers have been with themselves as they dedicated three consecutive fouls as a result of the Aguilas have been dominating the sport. The ball made its approach contained in the field, however Kevin Mier simply collected it in his fingers. La Maquina began a promising assault a couple of minutes later however the ball didn’t find yourself behind the web as Jorge Sanchez despatched the ball into the stands as an alternative. After an intense begin, the sport had calmed down and it appeared that Cruz Azul had damaged the Aguilas protection down with a purpose within the twenty second minute. Erik Lira had despatched in a protracted ball to the left facet of the sphere the place Rivero was there to ship the ball into the purpose, however the flag went up instantly seeing as he was in an offside place and that was how he beat Kevin Alvarez. A couple of minutes later Cruz Azul have been awarded a foul outdoors the field, however the Aguilas protection cleared the ball. Then a minute later they have been as soon as once more awarded one other free kick that ought to not have been referred to as within the first place seeing as each gamers made a play for the ball. Within the thirty second minute América had a transparent probability in entrance of purpose as Valdés headed the ball in direction of purpose, however it went simply huge of the web. A minute later the referee as soon as once more blew his whistle towards the Aguilas, and ‘Charly’ Rodriguez was the one to ship the ball into the field, however it was defended out. Earlier than the tip of the half the Aguilas had a transparent probability at purpose because the gamers performed some ping-pong on the fringe of the field till Cristian Borja was free, and he despatched the ball to Zendejas who headed it in direction of purpose, however it hit the crossbar and went out. 9 occasions out of 10 Zendejas would make these pictures however not this time. The referee then blew his whistle to sign the tip of the half as each groups wanted it to regroup.

The break appeared to energise América who got here out of the locker room with loads of depth. Alejandro Zendejas as soon as once more discovered himself in entrance of purpose, however he was not capable of get the ball on the right track. A minute later the Aguilas had one other large probability as Mier punched a ball out in entrance of him and Valdés went for the rebound however someway Mier ended up with the ball as an alternative. Cruz Azul didn’t get their probability in entrance of purpose till the 52nd minute however the Aguilas protection stood sturdy and bought the ball out of hazard. A couple of minutes later Luis Angel Malagon made his presence identified with two back-to-back saves on the line. Up so far Malagon had a reasonably quiet night time however he carried out when the moments arose and demonstrated why he’s presently one of the best goalkeeper in Mexico. By the sixtieth minute Cruz Azul made their first change as Luka Romero was subbed off for Alexis Gutierrez. The teen had nearly no impression during the last 60 minutes although he had excessive expectations upon his arrival again in January. Valdés was the subsequent participant to overlook a chance in entrance of purpose after he began the play, however he was not capable of finish it, as an alternative sending the ball out for a purpose kick. Then La Maquina was awarded with a harmful free kick outdoors of the field, however Jorge Sanchez was not capable of get on the tip of the ball. Then Vicente Sanchez made a number of extra adjustments hoping it could give the offense the spark it so desperately wanted. A minute later ‘Chiquito’ Sanchez had his golden alternative in entrance of purpose after Cristian Borja despatched the ball into the field. Mier intercepted the ball and ‘Chiquito’ tried to get to the rebound, however he was not capable of. América didn’t make any adjustments to their lineup till the 78th minute when Jonathan dos Santos made his return from damage coming in for Zendejas. It was after this that the Aguilas have been unable to capitalize on an enormous mistake from Willer Ditta who despatched the ball to Valdés as an alternative of to his personal teammate. Fortunately for La Maquina, the Aguilas have been horrible in entrance of purpose and let one other alternative go in entrance of purpose. A couple of minutes later ‘Chiquito’ Sanchez had the possibility to interrupt the impasse after he was despatched a ball into the field and he headed it in direction of purpose, however the ball went out as an alternative. Then within the 87th minute as ‘Chiquito’ tried to interrupt away, Jorge Sanchez made the choice to tug him down as a way to save his teammates which in flip earned him a yellow card. América made one remaining change within the 87th minute as André Jardine introduced on Rodrigo ‘Buffalo’ Aguirre for Valdés for a final minute probability at purpose. Aguirre did have two large probabilities however neither of them ended at the back of the web. The Aguilas had one final probability earlier than the ultimate whistle as Alvaro Fidalgo bought behind the defenders and made his approach into the field. Ditta was capable of place his foot in the way in which of Fidalgo’s shot and this effort paid off because the ball went flying into the stands as an alternative of into the web.

Each Cruz Azul and Membership América had a irritating night time. Neither have been capable of finding the again of the web and their frustrations have been evident with the variety of fouls dedicated by each groups. The Aguilas dedicated 19 fouls whereas La Maquina dedicated 15. With the multitude of missed probabilities in entrance of purpose, it was an evening to overlook for them each. Now each groups must go away all of it on the sphere of their subsequent match to find out who makes it to the semifinals of the Champions Cup. Possibly, simply possibly André Jardine could have the one trophy that has eluded him during the last two years or possibly Vicente Sanchez would be the one to take down the beast.

Membership América XI: L. Malagon; I. Reyes, R. Juárez, S. Cáceres, C. Borja; Ok. Alvarez, A. Fidalgo, E. Sanchez; A. Zendejas, D. Valdés, B. Rodriguez;

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Cruz Azul XI: Ok. Mier; I. Rovero, W. Ditta, E. Lira, J. Sanchez; J. Piovi, L. Faravelli; M. Bogusz, C. Rodriguez, L. Romero; A. Sepulveda;

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