MEXICO -- Although Cruz Azul showed improvement in the thrashing against Pachuca and the draw against Pumas, the cement players recognize that today they face a race against time to recover positions in the final stretch of the tournament... and for that they seek to deliver a big blow against America.
"We know that we have to win if we want to aspire (to the Liguilla), so the team is not going to spare efforts, the team has to go out and win and for that we are going to make this friendly match count, refine details and arrive in the best possible way to the match against America," said Gerardo Flores this morning, while Cruz Azul traveled to San Antonio for Sunday's friendly match against Monterrey Rayados at the Toyota Field.
Cruz Azul travels to San Antonio for their friendly match against Rayados on FIFA Date.
Caixinha took the entire team, except for the Mexican 🇲🇽 Jesús Corona and Chilean 🇨🇱 Enzo Roco, Martín Rodríguez and Felipe Mora.
Jerry Flores and Julián Velázquez on #ESPNAM@ESPNmx pic.twitter.com/kgNcludDPJ— Leon Lecanda (@Leonlec) March 23, 2018
"We know that the margin of error is very small now, so we have to go out and win, play a good match and we want to give this (game against Monterrey) seriousness so that we can add points because we know that we can't lose against America".
Central defender Julián Velázquez supported Flores' words and even spoke of delivering a statement of authority at the Estadio Azteca on March 31 against America.
"The team is improving, it has grown a lot, we are very happy about that, we have to continue on this path and we hope that at the Azteca we can deliver the big blow, the big punch to keep moving forward."
Velázquez will also try to take advantage of the friendly against Monterrey to regain the confidence of coach Pedro Caixinha, who has opted for Enzo Roco and Julio César Domínguez in the starting central defense.
"It is a match that in my case is very useful because I haven't been playing, so I will try to take it very seriously as it should be, face the match in the best possible way to be able to play and get back in shape, then we will think about the match against America."
Finally, Jerry Flores added that the difference in the overall standings against America will not be a factor to consider the Eagles as the big favorites.
"The Clásicos are different matches, it's open for both teams, it will be an intense match, the one that comes out well connected will win, so we will go out intense and try to win the match," said the right back and one of the three captains of La Máquina.
Caixinha chose to take his complete team to San Antonio, except for the selected players Jesús Corona, Felipe Mora, Enzo Roco and Martín Rodríguez.