Cruz Azul will not be able to count on the Paraguayan defender for the match against Rayos on Saturday at the Azteca
MEXICO -- Central defender Pablo Aguilar suffered a tear in his left leg and will be out for the match on Saturday against Necaxa. The good news for Cruz Azul is that their captain, Jesús Corona, will recover and will start training at 100 percent from this Monday and could return for the Repechaje.
Sources consulted by ESPN confirmed that Paraguayan player Aguilar suffered a grade 1 tear in his left thigh last Saturday in the Clásico against América. His recovery time is estimated at 15 to 20 days, which means he will miss the match against Necaxa in the Repesca and possibly the Quarterfinals, if La Máquina advances.
On the other hand, Corona, who hasn't played since March 12th against Pumas, when he was first diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right femur and later with an injury in his patella and patellar tendon in his right knee, could return to the field on Saturday against Rayos.
The goalkeeper and captain of La Máquina has already completed seven weeks of rehabilitation and starting today, he will be able to train alongside his teammates, according to sources consulted by ESPN.
The 41-year-old goalkeeper was aiming to return for the Clásico last Saturday against América, but on Thursday, he had synovial fluid and inflammation in his knee. Doctors drained it and decided that he would not play against Águilas at Estadio Azteca as a precaution.
The informants said that Corona no longer has inflammation in his knee and will start training on Monday with full workloads, although he must successfully complete the five training sessions of the week to be evaluated on Friday. If he is 100 percent fit, it will be the decision of coach Juan Reynoso whether to bring Chuy back as the starting goalkeeper or keep Sebastián Jurado in goal.
Charly Rodríguez on the right track
In the case of Carlos Rodríguez, his recovery has been very remarkable, so last week he was able to remove his orthopedic boot. It is expected that Charly will be able to start jogging from this Monday and will be evaluated towards the end of the week once he completes his fourth week of the original six-week deadline to return to play.
If Rodríguez continues to show signs of improvement, he could return for a potential Semifinal match, if Cruz Azul reaches that stage. However, the doctors and the player himself have been cautious about the fracture in the fibula of his right leg, as both the player and the club are thinking about the second half of the year and a potential call-up to the Mexican National Team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.