Cruz Azul played a preparation match at La Noria ahead of the Apertura 2019 against Zacatepec from the Ascenso MX, in which they finally lost 5-3. The Cañeros took half an hour to score the first three goals of the match, and in the 42nd minute they scored the fourth goal, which was the last of the first half.
Pedro Caixinha sent out a team in the first half with most of the players considered starters: Jesús Corona, Adrián Aldrete, Julio César Domínguez, Pablo Aguilar, Jesús López, Rafael Baca, Guillermo Fernández, Alexis Gutiérrez, Elías Hernández, Edgar Méndez, and Martín Cauteruccio.
Just 13 minutes into the game, Zacatepec took the lead with a goal from Emilio Sánchez. The Cañeros increased their advantage in the 22nd minute with a goal from Julián Cardozo, and in the 30th minute Gustavo Ramírez scored a penalty to make it 3-0. Erbín Trejo scored the last goal of the first half in the 42nd minute.
#CAZ 3-5 #ZAC
— CRUZ AZUL FC ® (@Cruz_Azul_FC) July 3, 2019
2H⏰|45' The training session of the day is over.
After both groups trained for 1 hour, they played 45 minutes against @CA_Zacatepec. #BuildingLa9loria pic.twitter.com/BIWr75NoK2
In the second half, the Portuguese coach made multiple changes, including the entry of Santiago Giménez, who scored three goals for the home team to make the scoreline more respectable against the team from Morelos. 'Chaquito' scored two of his goals from the penalty spot.
Among the young players who appeared were: Guillermo Allison, Jesús López, Josué Reyes, Rubén Rubio, Luciano Bocco, César Echeagaray, Sebastián González, Ángel Orelien, Luis Zaragoza, Rodrigo Huescas, and Santiago Giménez.
Facundo Taborda made it 5-0 in the 52nd minute, but then Christian Giménez's son reduced the deficit on the scoreboard, first in the 70th minute and then with two penalties in the 73rd and 75th minutes.
The cement makers will travel to Dallas on Friday, where they will play a preparation match against Morelia on Saturday.