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A few days had passed in the Apertura 2013, when Cruz Azul made another transfer for the team led by Guillermo Vázquez official. At 25 years old, Argentine midfielder Mauro Formica became a new player for La Máquina; his offensive qualities were praised, as well as his refined individual technique and vision to expand the field, not to mention his versatility to play as a playmaker or winger.

Formica played 58 matches, both in the league and in the playoffs, with Cruz Azul; during his stay, he scored eight goals.

If there was something to reproach him for, it was the constant ups and downs he had shown in recent years. After shining with Newell's Old Boys in his country, Formica moved to English club Blackburn Rovers, where he barely spent a season (2011-12), but without the continuity he expected; 55 matches and five goals later, Palermo from Italy appeared, signing him on loan for six months. The symptoms worsened in Serie A and he had more action on the bench than on the field.

Then the possibility of joining Mexican soccer arose, with Cruz Azul being responsible for reviving his career and providing an attractive showcase even in economic terms... The first tournament was difficult for him to adapt to Mexico City, to the rhythm of the team, as he only played nine matches with no influence in the attack. Just a couple of glimpses and nothing more. Even with the change of coach, Memo left and Luis Fernando Tena arrived, Mauro Formica showed his best possible version.    

Formica spent 4 tournaments in Mexico, where he even had the opportunity to play in the 2014 Club World Cup, wearing the celestial jersey.

Mauro Formica would go on to play for his alma mater, Newell's Old Boys, where it seemed that the red and black uniform gave him the confidence and football that he hadn't found elsewhere, including in Liga MX. After two years and finishing the most recent tournament as the third highest scorer for his team (eight goals), Pumas set their sights on him. The team led by Francisco Palencia placed their hopes on him to carry the offensive weight and complement the squad.

More mature, Mauro Formica will have the obligation to show that his talent has not been valued as it should, as has been the case at Newell's, where he helped make the team competitive alongside Maxi Rodríguez or Ignacio Scocco: "I am very happy to return to this country, where I have been treated so well; I am happy to join an institution like Pumas, where I want to adapt as quickly as possible and be available to the coach," said the forward upon his arrival in the capital. He is seeking redemption.

CRUZ AZUL BASE

Just like Mauro Formica, there are other players in Pumas' current squad who have a past at Cruz Azul. Pablo Barrera, who may not be part of the University team for the Apertura 2017 due to recovering from a knee surgery (right knee), was at La Noria from 2012 to 2014, where he coincided with the Argentine midfielder. "I have good memories and great friendships from my time at Cruz Azul; things didn't go well for me there, but I am grateful," said Barrera last year.

Surprisingly, another player who arrived at Pedregal for the upcoming tournament is Joffre Guerrón, also with a past at Cruz Azul, but without making an impact within La Máquina, where he arrived as an expensive player expected to carry the offensive responsibility, but took time to adapt; he made headlines as Cruz Azul chose to keep him out of the squad, leading to six months of inactivity and doubts.

PUMAS POTENTIAL STARTING ELEVEN