The Machine can finally count on all its players as the tournament reaches its halfway point.
For the first time in the entire Apertura 2023, including the preseason, Cruz Azul has a complete squad to work with in the week leading up to the match next Friday against Club Querétaro.
The Machine can finally count on all its players to train at La Noria, as the tournament reaches its halfway point. Sources consulted by ESPN confirmed that midfielder Jesús Dueñas, who has not played since August 23 due to a hamstring tear in his right leg, has already joined 100 percent of the team's training on Monday.
ESPN reported that midfielder Alonso Escoboza was given medical clearance last Tuesday after overcoming a lung problem that has kept him out of the field for two months. At the same time, defender Carlos Vargas, whose last game was on February 4 when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee, has also recovered.
Escoboza and Vargas sat on the bench in the match last Friday against Mazatlan but were not used by coach Joaquín Moreno. However, both are gaining game rhythm, something that is expected to be achieved soon with Dueñas, so that all three players can be used as substitutes - or even fight for a starting position - in the second half of the tournament.
In addition, midfielder Carlos Rodríguez has served his suspension and will be able to reappear on Sunday at the Estadio Azteca against Querétaro, while Dueñas and the rest of the reinforcements, Willer Ditta, Carlos Salcedo, Kevin Castaño, Moisés Vieira, Ángel Sepúlveda and Díber Cambindo, are all working at 100 percent under the orders of Moreno.