The Liga MX season progresses and the Clasico Joven emerges for Club America this weekend. A pivotal battle for Las Aguilas this season as they seek to assert dominance over Cruz Azul. Which will be no easy task for the struggling champions. This match isn’t just a game; it’s a narrative of rivalry, passion, and the quest for supremacy in Mexican football.
A prepararse para el Clásico Joven. 🦅
𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝟖 🆚 Cruz Azul pic.twitter.com/QTAOPSWZGD
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) February 22, 2024
Clasico Joven Preview: Club America vs Cruz Azul Clausura 2024
Two Teams in Two Distinct Forms
The rivalry between these two teams is storied, with each encounter adding a new chapter to their enduring saga. Club America come into this game a shadow of what they where last season. While Cruz Azul are in flying form sitting at the top of the league table and playing impressive soccer. Club America are unbeaten against Cruz Azul in their past four encounters in the league, but are far from favorites. After dropping two points against Mazatlán midweek, while Cruz Azul scaled to the top of the league table beating Leon on the road. Its easy to see why the noisy neighbors are poised as favorites for this Clasico Joven.
Tactical Battle
Saturday’s match against Cruz Azul will be no easy task for America. The team has been struggling to string along convincing performances in previous games. Injuries, rotations, and match accumulations have made it difficult for them to find their form. A big question surrounding this team is the tactics implored by their manager André Jardine. For spells of the game, America showed glimpses of their past selves but nothing concrete. This game will have to be different as Cruz Azul will not be an easy opponent. Jardine will need to find order on the pitch and have to exploit any space given to them. The one positive will be that Cruz Azul will not sit back and park the bus like other teams, so this will give America more freedom to play to style of soccer they like.
Key Players to Watch
In this game, Club America will need to look at their superstars to carry this team out of rut they have found themselves in and what better way to do it then in a Clasico Joven. Players like Alvaro Fidalgo and Diego Valdes are detrimental to this America midfield. When these two playmakers are at their best the America offense is superlative. Plus control of the ball will be important, so if both of those players can control the tempo of the match Club America will benefit immensely from it. But the real key player to watch for this game will be Henry Martin. The captain of Las Aguilas comes into this game after scoring a brace midweek to help America rescue a draw. Martin loves himself a goal in any type of Clasico and will be itching to continue his goal scoring form.
𝐋𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓Í𝐍. 💣#AméricaVsMazatlán🦅 pic.twitter.com/8nEsrfKms2
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) February 22, 2024
Stakes High for America
For Club America, this game represents more than just three points. It’s about making a statement, closing the gap at the top, and laying down a marker for the rest of the season. A victory would not only bolster their title aspirations but give them a boost of confidence. Something this team desperately needs for the upcoming run of games which are coming thick and fast. They have strong opponents in Tigres and Chivas in the league. Plus a tough two leg series with Chivas in the Concacaf Champions Cup. America approach the eye of storm of their season soon and gaining form and confidence will be key.
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Last Word
As Saturday approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Clasico Joven is the perfect opportunity for Club America to demonstrate why they are defending champions. Cruz Azul will not make it easy as they will lean heavily on their good run of form to extend America’s poor run of form. The imperative tactical decisions of manager Jardine will go hand in hand with what star players like Henry Martin are capable of doing on the night. As the stakes only get higher for Club America after this game in both the league and the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports, of a Henry Martin Headshot, on August 3, 2022.
