In these moments Cruz Azul is closer to once again failing to qualify for the playoffs than to achieve it. The numbers are overwhelming in this Clausura 2018: La Máquina has only accumulated 12 points out of the 36 that have been disputed, which is barely a meager one-third of effectiveness.

These 12 points have been obtained after only two victories, six draws and four defeats; with 14 goals in favor and 13 against, which is why they currently find themselves in 14th place in the general table.

This lack of productivity has generated that Pedro Caixinha's team is just one defeat away from virtually being eliminated from the final phase; even the Portuguese coach himself made it very clear the numbers that his team needed in this closing of the tournament. Prior to the game against Pumas, the Portuguese calculated that they needed 15 out of the 18 points remaining in dispute; now, with the draw they achieved that day, the calculations for La Máquina show that they require 14 out of the last 15 points remaining. In other words, they cannot afford to lose again.

And yes, the scenario is very complicated, but not impossible. On one occasion, Cruz Azul managed to make it to the playoffs with a good streak of five consecutive victories. It was in the Clausura 2013, when they were led by Guillermo Vázquez; in fact, that streak caused the team to arrive in great form to the playoffs, reaching the final, which they tragically and painfully lost to América.

But going back to the current version of La Máquina, things look more pessimistic now, as this institution has become more accustomed to failure than anything else in recent years. Even so, we'll have to see if it will be enough for Pedro Caixinha's team to make it to the final phase, as that will mark their first semester at the club, which has been disappointing so far.

As the coach said, Cruz Azul has five finals left in which they will attempt the feat of qualifying; if they fail to do so, at least the continuity of the coach is guaranteed, unlike some executives, and there could also be a shakeup in the squad.

3 REASONS TO BELIEVE

1) A DEFINED STYLE

The main virtue that Cruz Azul currently has is that they already have a defined style. Pedro Caixinha has used the same playing system (1-4-2-3-1) throughout the season; although in the first eight matches he couldn't use the same starting eleven; in the last games, he has managed to repeat a starting lineup. La Máquina knows how to play in terms of offensive and defensive transitions, although they still struggle with finishing plays, as they generate more chances but fail to convert them.

2) IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR GAME

Since the match against Monterrey, Cruz Azul has shown some improvement in their performance; in fact, in the last few rounds they have increased the number of opportunities in front of the opponent's goal. Against Pachuca, they had their best game of the season, being very effective; however, they couldn't maintain the same level of offensive play against Pumas, a crucial match for their aspirations. They have matches against América, Lobos BUAP, Tigres, Morelia, and Veracruz to become a more effective team, otherwise, they won't qualify.

3) THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FANS

The poor results in the first half of the tournament had caused the fans to stay away from the Estadio Azul; however, in the last two matches (Pachuca and Pumas), the supporters returned to support their team, which was evident especially in the game against Universidad. La Máquina only has two more matches at the Estadio Azul (against Lobos BUAP and Morelia), as well as three away games, and except for the one against Tigres on matchday 15, they can match the number of fans of their opponents in the other matches.

3 REASONS TO DOUBT

1) LACK OF BACK-TO-BACK WINS

Cruz Azul went two years without achieving back-to-back victories. In the Apertura 2017, they managed to do it under the guidance of Paco Jémez. Now, in this tournament, they have once again had difficulties in winning games, in fact, they only have two league victories, plus one in the Copa; that is, three wins in the semester. To qualify, they not only need to win two games, but five, something they haven't achieved since the Clausura 2014 when they had an eight-match winning streak (from matchday 2 to 9).

2) INCONSISTENT PLAYERS

Due to injuries, Pedro Caixinha couldn't field the same lineup until the game against Querétaro. However, it is also evident that many players have been inconsistent throughout the season. The case of Ángel Mena stands out, as Pedro publicly criticized him, which worked as the Ecuadorian found consistency and is now one of the regular starters. There are other cases, like Walter Montoya and Carlos Peña – reinforcements for this tournament – who haven't delivered with their performances. The Argentine has shown glimpses of his potential, but not Carlos Peña.

3) RECENT HISTORY

Cruz Azul's main enemy is their own past, which cruelly points out that they haven't been champions in the last 20 years, or more recently, that they have only reached the playoffs once in the last seven tournaments (the Apertura 2017). When Cruz Azul managed to qualify in the Clausura 2013 with that streak of five victories, they were living in a time when the team used to regularly make the playoffs and even reach the finals (they were known as the subcampeonísimo); now the story is very contrasting and this team struggles to finish among the top eight teams.