Wikipedia

2023–24 Cruz Azul season

The 2023–24 Cruz Azul season is the 64th season in the football club's history and the 60th consecutive season in the top flight of Mexican football. Cruz Azul will compete in Liga MX and the Leagues Cup.

Cruz Azul
2023–24 season
Sporting directorÓscar Pérez
ManagerRicardo Ferretti
(until 7 August)
Joaquín Moreno
(from 7 August)
StadiumAzteca(until 2024)Ciudad de los Deportes(from 2024)
Liga MXApertura: 17th
Clausura: TBD
Leagues CupRound of 32
Top goalscorerLeague:
Uriel Antuna (2)
All:
Uriel Antuna (3)
Highest home attendance36,500 v América
(2 September 2023)
Lowest home attendance11,053 vs Santos Laguna
(20 August 2023)
Average home league attendance21,163
Biggest win1–2 v Monterrey
(27 August 2023)
Biggest defeat2–0 v Atlas
(1 July 2023)
0–2 v Toluca
(8 July 2023)

This season will be the first without captain José de Jesús Corona, who will be leaving the club after 14 years (since 2009–10 as a first team player).[1] It will also be the first season since 2005–06 without the center-back Julio César Domínguez.[2]

Kits edit

Season overview edit

May edit

On 31 May, Uriel Antuna and Carlos Rodríguez were called up to the Mexico national team squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[3]

June edit

On 1 June, Rafael Guerrero and Rodrigo Huescas were called up to the Mexico national under-23 team for friendlies in Europe and the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games.[4]

On 27 June, the Leagues Cup announced Cruz Azul's first match against Inter Miami would be rescheduled as the tournament's inaugural match due to Inter Miami's high-profile signings of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.[5]

July edit

On 5 July, Ivan Morales' contract was rescinded and he became a free agent.[6]

Willer Ditta did not travel with the team to the United States for the first Leagues Cup match due to work visa issues.[7] On 24 July, Cruz Azul announced Ditta obtained his visa and would travel to join the team.[8]

Rodrigo Huescas was subbed out in the 30th minute of the match against Inter Miami due to injury. On 24 July, Cruz Azul announced Huescas had suffered a sprain in his right MCL.[9]

August edit

On 7 August, Cruz Azul announced they had parted ways with manager Ricardo Ferretti and would appoint assistant coach Joaquín Moreno as manager for the remainder of the Apertura 2023 season.

September edit

On 1 September, Uriel Antuna and Carlos Rodríguez were called up to the Mexico national team squad for friendlies against Australia and Uzbekistan. Érik Lira and Rodrigo Huescas were called up to the Mexico national under-23 team for friendlies against Colombia under-23.[10] Rafael Guerrero was called up to the Mexico national under-20 team for friendlies against Argentine Primera División clubs.[11]

First-team coaching staff edit

Apertura 2023 Rounds 1–3, Leagues Cup
Position Name Nationality Year appointed Last club/team References
Manager Ricardo Ferretti   Brazil 2023   FC Juárez (as manager)
Assistant Coaches Guillermo Vázquez   Mexico 2023   Necaxa (as manager)
Joaquín Moreno   Mexico 2023   Cruz Azul (as interim manager)
Enrique Cruz   Mexico 2023   Pachuca (as assistant manager)
Medic Juan José Pérez   Mexico 2021   Veracruz
Ernesto Prado   Mexico 2015   Cruz Azul Hidalgo
José Morales Ángeles   Mexico 2023 None
Fitness trainer Guillermo Orta   Mexico 2023   FC Juárez
Kinesiologist Juan Rubio   Mexico 2009
Paolo Arriaga   Mexico 2023   Veracruz
Apertura 2023 Rounds 4–
Position Name Nationality Year appointed Last club/team References
Manager Joaquín Moreno   Mexico 2023   Cruz Azul (as assistant coach)
Assistant Coaches Joel Huiqui   Mexico 2023   Cruz Azul U23 (as manager)
Enrique Cruz   Mexico 2023   Pachuca (as assistant manager)
Medic Juan José Pérez   Mexico 2021   Veracruz
Ernesto Prado   Mexico 2015   Cruz Azul Hidalgo
José Morales Ángeles   Mexico 2023 None
Fitness trainer Fernando Ramos   Mexico 2023   Leones Negros
Kinesiologist Juan Rubio   Mexico 2009
Paolo Arriaga   Mexico 2023   Veracruz

Players edit

Squad information edit

No. Pos. Nat. Name Age Signed in Previous club
3 DF   Carlos Salcedo (vice-captain) 30 2023   FC Juárez
4 DF   Willer Ditta 27 2023   Newell's Old Boys
5 MF   Kevin Castaño 23 2023   Águilas Doradas
6 MF   Erik Lira 23 2022 (Winter)   Pumas UNAM
7 MF   Uriel Antuna 26 2022 (Winter)   Guadalajara
8 MF   Jesús Dueñas 35 2023   FC Juárez
9 FW   Ángel Sepúlveda 33 2023   Querétaro
10 FW   Moisés Vieira 27 2023   Fortaleza
14 MF   Alexis Gutiérrez 24 2023 (Winter)   Tapatío
15 MF   Ignacio Rivero (vice-captain) 32 2020   Tijuana
17 MF   Alonso Escoboza 31 2022   Necaxa
18 MF   Rodrigo Huescas 20 2021 Youth system
19 MF   Carlos Rodríguez 27 2022 (Winter)   Monterrey
24 DF   Juan Escobar (captain) 28 2019   Cerro Porteño
25 GK   Sebastián Jurado 26 2020 (Winter)   Veracruz
26 DF   Carlos Vargas 23 2023 (Winter)   Mazatlán
28 FW   Diber Cambindo 28 2023   Independiente Medellín
29 FW   Carlos Rotondi 27 2022   Defensa y Justicia
30 GK   Andrés Gudiño 27 2019   Tepatitlán
31 DF   Luis Iturbide 21 2023 Youth system
32 DF   Cristian Jiménez 21 2023 Youth system
33 DF   Rafael Guerrero 21 2023 Youth system
  • Last updated: 29 August 2023
  • Source: ligamx.net and cfcruzazul.com
  • Notes: The club can have a maximum of nine foreign players in their squad.

Transfers edit

Transfers in edit

Transfers out edit

Pre-season and friendlies edit

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Matches edit

14 June 2023 Friendly Pumas UNAM   1–0   Cruz Azul Coyoacán, Mexico City
Del Prete   Stadium: Cantera
21 June 2023 Friendly Cruz Azul   3–1   Juárez Xochimilco, Mexico City
9:00 CDT
Report   Stadium: La Noria
Attendance: 0
24 June 2023 Friendly América   3–1   Cruz Azul Coapa, Mexico City
10:00 CDT
Report Moisés   Stadium: Coapa
Attendance: 0
31 December 2023 Friendly Cruz Azul   3–0   Atlante F.C. no data
 Stadium: no data
Attendance: 0

Competitions edit

Overview edit

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Apertura 2023 1 July 2023 Matchday 1 7 1 1 5 7 13 −6 014.29
Clausura 2024 January 2024 Matchday 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !—
Leagues Cup 21 July 2023 3 August 2023 Group stage Round of 32 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 000.00
Total 10 1 3 6 9 16 −7 010.00

Last updated: 2 September 2023
Source: Mediotiempo.com

Liga MX edit

Torneo Apertura edit

Main article: 2023–24 Liga MX season § Torneo Apertura
League table edit

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
14 Querétaro 17 5 4 8 18 29 −11 19
15 Juárez 17 5 3 9 24 34 −10 18
16 Cruz Azul 17 5 2 10 21 29 −8 17
17 Atlas 17 4 5 8 14 24 −10 17
18 Necaxa 17 3 6 8 18 27 −9 15
Source: Liga MX
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results between tied teams; 5) Number of goals scored away; 6) Highest relegation coefficient; 7) Fair Play points
Results summary edit
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
7 1 1 5 7 13  −6 4 0 1 2 4 7  −3 1 0 3 3 6  −3

Last updated: 2 September 2023.
Source: [citation needed]

Results round by round edit
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617
GroundAHAHAAHAHAAHAHHAH
ResultLLLDLWL
Position17181818181617
Updated to match(es) played on 2 September 2023. Source: Mediotiempo.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches edit

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

The league fixtures were announced on 8 June 2023.[32]

1 July 2023 1 Atlas 2–0 Cruz Azul Guadalajara
21:10 CDT
Report
Referee Report
Stadium: Jalisco
Attendance: 20,169
Referee: Víctor Cáceres Hernández
8 July 2023 2 Cruz Azul 0–2 Toluca Mexico City
17:50 CDT
Referee Report
Stadium: Azteca
Attendance: 15,936
Referee: Ismael López Peñuelas
14 July 2023 3 Tijuana 2–1 Cruz Azul Tijuana
20:00 PDT
21:00 CDT
Referee Report
Stadium: Caliente
Attendance: 28,333
Referee: Edgar Allan Morales
20 August 2023 4 Cruz Azul 2–2 Santos Laguna Mexico City
17:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Azteca
Attendance: 11,053
Referee: Marco Antonio Ortiz
23 August 2023 5 Pachuca 1–0 Cruz Azul Pachuca
19:06 CDT
Report
Stadium: Hidalgo
Attendance: 8,242
Referee: Jesus Rafael Lopez Valle
27 August 2023 6 Monterrey 1–2 Cruz Azul Guadalupe
20:10 CDT
Report
Stadium: BBVA
Attendance: 42,313
Referee: César Arturo Ramos
2 September 2023 7 Cruz Azul 2–3 América Mexico City
21:10 CDT
Report
Stadium: Azteca
Attendance: 36,500
Referee: Daniel Quintero Huitrón
15 September 2023 8 Mazatlán v Cruz Azul Mazatlán
18:00 PDT
19:00 CDT		 Stadium: Mazatlán
24 September 2023 9 Cruz Azul v Querétaro Mexico City
16:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca
1 October 2023 10 Atlético San Luis v Cruz Azul San Luis Potosí
17:00 CDT Stadium: Alfonso Lastras
4 October 2023 11 Necaxa v Cruz Azul Aguascalientes
19:00 CDT Stadium: Victoria
7 October 2023 12 Cruz Azul v Pumas UNAM Mexico City
21:05 CDT Stadium: Azteca
21 October 2023 13 Tigres UANL v Cruz Azul San Nicolás de los Garza
21:05 CDT Stadium: Universitario
28 October 2023 14 Cruz Azul v León Mexico City
17:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca
1 November 2023 15 Cruz Azul v Juárez Mexico City
19:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca
4 November 2023 16 Guadalajara v Cruz Azul Zapopan
21:05 CDT Stadium: Akron
12 November 2023 17 Cruz Azul v Puebla Mexico City
18:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca

Leagues Cup edit

Main article: 2023 Leagues Cup

Group stage edit

Main article: 2023 Leagues Cup group stage § South 3

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MIA CAZ ATL
1   Inter Miami CF 2 2 0 0 0 6 1 +5 6 Advance to knockout stage — — 4–0
2   Cruz Azul 2 0 1 0 1 2 3 −1 2 1–2 — 1–1
3   Atlanta United FC 2 0 0 1 1 1 5 −4 1 — — —
Source: Leagues Cup
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
21 July 2023 (2023-07-21) 1 Cruz Azul   1–2   Inter Miami Fort Lauderdale, United States
20:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: DRV PNK
Attendance: 20,512
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
29 July 2023 (2023-07-29) 3 Cruz Azul   1–1
(5–4 p)		   Atlanta United Atlanta, United States
19:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz
Attendance: 41,108
Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)
Penalties

Knockout phase edit

Main article: 2023 Leagues Cup knockout stage
Round of 32 edit
3 August 2023 Charlotte   0−0
(4−3 p)		   Cruz Azul Frisco, Texas, United States
19:30 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Toyota
Attendance: 6,844
Referee: Ismael Cornejo Meléndez (El Salvador)
Penalties
Note: Match played at neutral site due to scheduling conflicts at Charlotte FC's home stadium Bank of America Stadium and a lack of approved venues in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Squad statistics edit

Appearances and goals edit

Players with no appearances are not included on the list.

As of matches played 2 September 2023
No. Pos Nat Player Total Apertura 2023 Clausura 2024 Leagues Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
25 GK   MEX Sebastián Jurado 5 0 4 0 0 0 1 0
30 GK   MEX Andrés Gudiño 6 0 3+1 0 0 0 2 0
Defenders
3 DF   MEX Carlos Salcedo 10 0 7 0 0 0 3 0
4 DF   COL Willer Ditta 7 0 5 0 0 0 2 0
24 DF   PAR Juan Escobar 8 0 5 0 0 0 2+1 0
31 DF   MEX Luis Iturbide 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
33 DF   MEX Rafael Guerrero 4 0 0+3 0 0 0 1 0
191 DF   MEX Raymundo Rubio[a] 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
205 DF   MEX Josué Díaz[a] 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
229 DF   MEX Alan Zubiri[a] 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Midfielders
5 MF   COL Kevin Castaño 6 0 4 0 0 0 0+2 0
6 MF   MEX Érik Lira 8 0 7 0 0 0 0+1 0
8 MF   MEX Jesús Dueñas 6 0 0+3 0 0 0 3 0
14 MF   MEX Alexis Gutiérrez 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
15 MF   URU Ignacio Rivero 9 1 4+2 1 0 0 3 0
17 MF   MEX Alonso Escoboza 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
18 MF   MEX Rodrigo Huescas 7 0 4+2 0 0 0 1 0
19 MF   MEX Carlos Rodríguez 7 0 4 0 0 0 3 0
32 MF   MEX Cristian Jiménez 3 0 2+1 0 0 0 0 0
Forwards
7 FW   MEX Uriel Antuna 7 3 4 2 0 0 3 1
9 FW   MEX Ángel Sepúlveda 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
10 FW   BRA Moisés Vieira 10 2 5+2 1 0 0 3 1
28 FW   COL Diber Cambindo 9 2 7 2 0 0 1+1 0
29 FW   ARG Carlos Rotondi 10 1 7 1 0 0 3 0
Players transferred out during the season
11 FW   URU Christian Tabó 8 0 3+3 0 0 0 0+2 0
21 FW   ARG Augusto Lotti 6 0 1+2 0 0 0 2+1 0

Source: Competitions

  1. ^ a b c Player is registered with the under-23 team.

Goalscorers edit

Includes all competitive matches.

As of matches played 2 September 2023
Rank Pos. No. Player Liga Apertura Liga Clausura Leagues Cup Total
1 FW 7   Uriel Antuna 2 0 1 3
2 FW 28   Diber Cambindo 2 0 0 2
FW 10   Moisés Vieira 1 0 1 2
3 MF 15   Ignacio Rivero 1 0 0 1
FW 29   Carlos Rotondi 1 0 0 1
Own Goals 0 0 0 0
Total 7 0 2 9

Sources: Soccerway, Liga MX

Clean sheets edit

The list is sorted by shirt number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play.

Clean sheets
No. Player Games Played Goals Against Apertura 2023 Clausura 2023 Leagues Cup Total
30   Andrés Gudiño 6 8 0 0 1 1
25   Sebastián Jurado 5 8 0 0 0 0
Totals 16 0 0 1 1

Disciplinary record edit

As of 2 September 2023
No. Pos. Nat. Name Apertura 2023 Clausura 2024 Leagues Cup Total
                               
3 DF   Carlos Salcedo 2 1 3
4 DF   Willer Ditta 3 1 4
5 DF   Kevin Castaño
6 MF   Erik Lira
7 FW   Uriel Antuna 1 1 2
8 MF   Jesús Dueñas 2 2
10 FW   Moisés
11 FW   Christian Tabó
14 MF   Alexis Gutiérrez
15 MF   Ignacio Rivero 2 2
17 MF   Alonso Escoboza
18 MF   Rodrigo Huescas 1 1
19 MF   Carlos Rodríguez 1 1 1 1
21 FW   Augusto Lotti
24 DF   Juan Escobar 3 1 4
25 GK   Sebastián Jurado 1 1 1 1
26 DF   Carlos Vargas
28 FW   Diber Cambindo 3 3
29 FW   Carlos Rotondi 2 2
30 GK   Andrés Gudiño 2 2
31 DF   Luis Iturbide 1 1
32 DF   Cristian Jiménez 1 1
33 DF   Rafael Guerrero 1 1
Totals 24 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 0 30 0 2

Source: Liga MX
Ordered by  ,   and  
  = Number of bookings;   = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card;   = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.

Injury record edit

No. Pos. Nat. Name Type Status Source Match Inj. Date Ret. Date
26 DF   Carlos Vargas Right ACL tear   [33] vs Tigres UANL 4 February 2023 TBD
18 MF   Rodrigo Huescas Right MCL sprain   [9] vs Inter Miami 21 July 2023 20 August 2023
17 MF   Alonso Escoboza Rib injury   [34] in training 12 August 2023 TBD
3 DF   Carlos Salcedo Adductor magnus muscle injury   vs Monterrey 27 August 2023 2 September 2023


References edit

  1. ^ "Jesús Corona se despide de Cruz Azul: Vivimos alegrías y tristezas, pero siempre con honestidad". espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). 23 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Cruz Azul: Cata Domínguez se despide del club con emotiva carta: 'Gracias por cumplir mi sueño'". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 7 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Selección Mexicana: Se confirma convocatoria para la Copa Oro". espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). 19 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-23 Gira Europea". miseleccion.mx (in Spanish). 1 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Leagues Cup hace ajustes y partido inaugural será Messi e Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul". espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). 27 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Cruz Azul liberó plaza de NFM de Iván Morales, baja número 11". espndeportes.com (in Spanish). 5 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Cruz Azul confirma que Willer Ditta aún no cuenta con visa para entrar a EU y jugar Leagues Cup". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 20 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Willer Ditta ya tiene visa y podría ser titular ante Atlanta". mexico.as.com (in Spanish). 24 July 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Rodrigo Huescas se perderá la Leagues Cup por lesión". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 24 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-23". miseleccion.mx (in Spanish). 4 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-20". miseleccion.mx (in Spanish). 1 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Cruz Azul hace oficial fichaje de Carlos Salcedo". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 16 June 2023.
  13. ^ "¡OFICIAL! Cruz Azul anunció el fichaje del brasileño Moisés Vieira, su segundo refuerzo para el Apertura 2023". foxsports.com.mx (in Spanish). 16 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Cruz Azul hace oficial el fichaje de Diber Cambindo". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 21 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Cruz Azul anuncia oficialmente la incorporación de Kevin Castaño". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 27 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Willer Ditta ya firmó con Cruz Azul". mexico.as.com (in Spanish). 6 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Cruz Azul confirma el fichaje de Jesús Dueñas". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 13 July 2023.
  18. ^ "¡Oficial! Ángel Sepúlveda es nuevo jugador de Cruz Azul". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 29 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Michael Estrada, primera baja rumbo al Apertura 2023". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 10 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Cruz Azul anuncia la salida de Gonzalo Carneiro". eluniversal.com.mx (in Spanish). 10 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Shaggy Martínez, tercera baja oficial de La Máquina". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 11 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Cruz Azul confirm departure of River Plate-linked Funes Mori". en.as.com. 17 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Ex Cruz Azul: Jaiber Jiménez fue el que decidió no renovar..." vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com (in Spanish). 14 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Sigue la limpia de jugadores en la Noria, Jaiber Jiménez deja el equipo". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 18 May 2023.
  25. ^ "Cruz Azul confirmó el adiós del Cata Domínguez con emotivo video". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 27 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Jordan Silva deja a la Máquina para unirse al Atlético de San Luis". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 10 June 2023.
  27. ^ "¡Oficial! Rafael Baca se va de Cruz Azul y es la séptima baja oficial del equipo de cara al Apertura 2023". vprosports.mx/ (in Spanish). 13 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Ramiro Carrera sale de prestamo de Cruz Azul para el Atlético Tucumán". tvazteca.com (in Spanish). 20 June 2023.
  29. ^ "¡Oficial! Cruz Azul y Jesús Corona anuncian su separación en la Liga MX". marca.com (in Spanish). 23 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Augusto Lotti sale de Cruz Azul cedido a Lanús". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 12 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Christian Tabó, nuevo refuerzo de Pumas de la UNAM". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 29 August 2023.
  32. ^ "La Liga MX presentó el calendario del Apertura 2023; ¿cómo se jugará?". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 8 June 2023.
  33. ^ "La lesión que le arruinó a Carlos Vargas el Clausura 2023" [The injury that ruined Carlos Vargas' Clausura 2023 season]. mexico.as.com (in Spanish). 6 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Alonso Escoboza estará fuera de las canchas tras tener una contusión en la costilla". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 12 August 2023.

External links edit

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2023–24_Cruz_Azul_season&oldid=1213201994"