Re-building Cruz Azul

All of the graphics and metrics in this article come from Twelve Football and their “Twelve Earpiece” product. Photo from TV Azteca.

The situation

Cruz Azul are still searching for their tenth Liga MX title, and the upcoming days could be critical.

La Máquina have shown much greater consistency and stability on the pitch during recent seasons- especially after Martín Anselmi’s arrival.

Apart from a few more pragmatic games under Vicente Sánchez, Cruz Azul have been highly intense out of possession, often relying on crosses in attack.

Cruz Azul play style analysis from Twelve. The white points show their ranking versus other Liga MX sides (in green). The playing concepts combine a variety of weighted metrics.

Nicolás Larcamón doesn’t always improve his sides, but has a well-defined style of play, which is similar to that of Cruz Azul in recent seasons. Larcamón’s teams play with high intensity, a high defensive line, and set-up with a back-three and wing-backs.

By bringing in Larcamón, Cruz Azul were able maintain their style, and continue to get the best out of players that fit well in a 3-4-2-1. It was an obvious, but efficient, decision.

However, we’ve started to seeing some squad-planning issues in recent transfer windows. Expensive attacking signings like Mateusz Bogusz and Georgios Giakoumakis didn’t make the expected impact, whilst the signing of Miguel Borja fell apart.

Youngsters like Luka Romero, Amaury Morales and Mateo Levy haven’t yet developed into consistent performers in Larcamón’s attack.

Also, one tactical concept is holding back the Cruz Azul attack. Larcamón’s sides shoot too often from distance, which isn’t a reliable method of scoring.

Larcamón underestimates the importance of shot quality. Cruz Azul shoot more often than any other Liga MX side, but their average shot quality (“xG per shot”) is the worst in the league. Therefore, their xG only ranks around Liga MX average.

Romero is an example of a player who needs other instructions in the final third- almost 50% of his shots in Liga MX have been blocked.

The needs

Cruz Azul need a striker. La Máquina have three excellent midfield creators; Charly Rodríguez, Agustín Palavecino and José Paradela, but lack options to make runs into the box, and make the most of their creativity.

The directors are also looking for a center-back, following Jesús Orozco Chiquete’s injury and Carlos Vargas’ departure. A right-wing-back will be required if Jorge Sánchez returns to Europe with PAOK.

Cruz Azul could perhaps sign two players formed outside of Mexico, Bogusz has left and Camilo Candido could follow.

Center-back

The temptation is to look for a left-footed center-back, a direct replacement for Chiquete. But, I don’t believe it’s necessary. Gonzalo Piovi, who’s more effective from the left, has proved excellent availability- more than 40 games played in 2024 and 2025. Jorge Rodarte can also play from the left.

Thinking in the medium-to-long-term, Cruz Azul could look for a libero, to keep Erik Lira in midfield, or a right-sided defender to provide backup for Willer Ditta.

The investment

Matías Pérez is an Argentine playing in Paraguay, after two years spent in Russia. Pérez, 26, has an excellent profile for Cruz Azul’s style; aggressive, effective at winning the ball back and comfortable on the ball. His availability has also been a strength and he’s played various roles across the backline.

He isn’t that tall for a center-back or effective at progressing the ball, but this isn’t a huge issue given Lira hasn’t been a great at generating ball progression.

Matías Pérez concept analysis, from Twelve. Using their model to predict adaptation between different leagues, which considers historic examples, we can see a prediction of his performance level in Liga MX.

Pérez could cover any role across the backline, given that he’s played on the right and left. He’s also comfortable when jumping to press opponents in the attacking half and out wide- key concepts for the Cruz Azul press.

The economical option

After an loan with Tijuana, Ramiro Franco has returned to Mazatlán, but still isn’t registered with the league. Franco is only 22, and a rather complete defender. Tall (190cm) and aggressive out of possession, Ramiro also has experience in different roles, playing as a more traditional center-back with Mazatlán, and at times as an inverted full-back under Juan Carlos Osorio.

Franco could cover the center and the right-side of the back-three- although there are some doubts over his influence in build-up.

The option in the Liga de Expansión

Nicolás Carrera, 23, is a very interesting center-back to watch. The Mexican-American stood-out in Atlante’s dominant play style, with high aggression to jump, win duels and intercept passes. Carrera is also tall and strong in the air, but could improve on the ball, especially when put under pressure.

Carrera also performed at an impressive level in the Toluca academy, during the 2024-25 season.

The new Erik Lira?

There have been rumors connecting Cruz Azul with Denzell García, 22. The flexible Mexican could offer a variety of solutions for their defensive line and midfield. Playing as an inverted right-back at Juárez, García makes positive contributions with and without the ball, and is yet to reach his peak age.

In the long-term, his best role will probably be in midfield, but it seems that, like Lira, Denzell could cover the center of the defensive line. Also, given his experience as a full-back in Juárez, García could provide backup for Ditta.

Right-wing-back

Cruz Azul need a player with excellent physical output, that can cover the right flank, receive switch passes from Piovi, create chances and help to recover possession.

The standout Mexican option

Carlos Adrián Sánchez is the standout option in Liga MX right now. Sánchez is only 23, has played at a very high level in the past, and is currently on the Pachuca bench. There’s a risk in signing a full-back after they play under Guillermo Almada, as his play style has always helped full-backs to produce impressive metrics. However, the experience of playing under Almada is also a positive for Sánchez, given that he’s been part of a high pressing system.

Carlos can offer creativity and recoveries, plus much greater impact in ball progression than Jorge Sánchez or Nacho Rivero.

Playing as a wing-back tasked with occupying the right flank could limit Sánchez though, he’s performed best when able to vary his positioning in attack- overlapping and underlapping the winger.

The option in the Liga de Expansión

A cheaper addition could be Javier Casillas from Venados. Casillas, 25, stands-out for his impact in the final third, often receiving passes in space, attacking the box and creating chances.

His defensive abilities are a major doubt, especially in a stronger division.

The more experienced option

Eric Meza, 26, has two more years on his Estudiantes contract, and they could demand a fairly high fee. However, Meza is a stand-out option to improve Cruz Azul’s right side, consistently proving to be a well-rounded player, with excellent attacking production through passes and ball carries.

With more than 2,000 minutes played in every year since 2021, availability has been another strength of Meza, which is a key factor to assess, particularly when signing a defender. His 1vs1 defending is poor though, winning less than half of his duels across his career.

The younger option

Marcos Luna, 22, has only started five matches since joining Almería in the summer and could be looking for more game time. During 2024-25, with Real Zaragoza, Luna’s performances suggest he’ll be an effective creative wing-back in a high pressing system. The risk with Luna is his lack of overall experience and game time.

Striker

Cruz Azul need someone who can compete with Gabriel Fernández, and offer the option to play in a front-two if required. Above all else, the striker must show effective off-ball movement to create separation from defenders, and the ability to finish attacks from inside the box. Strength in the air, to attack crosses, and an ability to aid the press are also important concepts to consider.

La Máquina could also look for more of a second striker or wide attacker/inside forward profile, to cover Fernández whilst offering a different option to play behind the number nine.

The option to finish Cruz Azul attacks

Brayan Gil, 24, has 20 international caps for El Salvador and is currently playing in Russia. In both Russia and Colombia, Gil has shown an excellent ability to get shots off from inside the box, make runs in-behind to receive through balls or stretch defenses, and to win aerial duels.

His weakness to connect attacks doesn’t appear a major issue, given Larcamón’s style and Cruz Azul’s strength in midfield. However, his lack of defensive work rate may be an issue.

Gil attempts almost all of his shots from inside the box, exactly what the Cruz Azul attack needs.

The more complete option

There were rumores of Daniel Mosquera, 26, moving to Necaxa this winter. Despite performing at an impressive level during the previous campaign, Mosquera has managed under 500 minutes in Serie A this season.

Mosquera can offer a presence inside the box, and the aerial strength that Cruz Azul need. He’s also effective at receiving back-to-goal and connecting attacks.

However, Mosquera doesn’t have much experience playing as the only number nine, and he doesn’t make many runs to receive through balls, behind a defensive line.

The young option

If Cruz Azul want to take a risk on a young striker, Yojan Garcés is a very interesting possibility.

The 19-year-old has only played just over 1,000 minutes in the top division in Colombia, but averaged 0.61 xG per 90 minutes in 2025. Garcés has shown the movement and box presence to frequently get shots off from dangerous areas, as well as the energy to press opposition build-up.

Garcés isn’t that effective in the air, yet, but he’s tall, and therefore should develop this aspect of his game with more experience and physical development.

The option to play behind Fernández

One player that could offer goals from a starting position behind Fernández, whilst covering the striker role at times, is Edwuin Cetré. The 28-year-old winger often makes runs to get into the box or to receive passes behind a defensive line. Cetré is also an excellent dribbler, competes well in the air, and can create for teammates with passes and cutbacks from inside the box.

Cetré would offer another profile of attacker for Cruz Azul, although there are a couple of doubts. At 28, the Colombian is towards the end of his peak age, and dribbling ability tends to drop-off before other concepts, given the importance of explosive acceleration. Also, Cetré often shoots from outside the box, and could contribute further to the key weakness of Larcamón’s attack.

Summary

• The consistency of Cruz Azul’s system and style helps the process of scouting the right sort of profiles for the squad

• There are a few excellent Mexican options to offer more cover in the defensive line, Cruz Azul don’t need to use a foreign player spot

• La Máquina can upgrade their right flank with a more productive player than Jorge Sánchez

• Another attacker with good off-ball movement, who can finish off Cruz Azul attacks inside the box is crucial- they should invest in this role

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