MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Familiar Liga MX foes Pumas and Cruz Azul are set to duel in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinals on Tuesday night at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City.
Pumas reached the final four of the tournaments by eliminating Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa 6-3 in the Round of 16, followed by a dramatic comeback against the New England Revolution in the quarterfinals, in which they rallied from a 3-0 deficit to force a 3-3 tie on aggregate before advancing in a penalty shootout, 4-3.
Meanwhile, Cruz Azul topped Forge FC of Canada 4-1 in the Round of 16 and then CF Montreal 2-1 in the quarterfinals to book their place in the semifinals.
These two sides have met countless times in Liga MX play, but there have also been six meetings in Concacaf competition, including in back-to-back SCCLs in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Cruz Azul pocketed a 2-0 aggregate win in the 2008-09 quarterfinals and then a 5-1 victory in the 2009-10 semifinals.
As far as Liga MX matches played on Pumas’ home turf, Cruz Azul have a 9W-7D-16L record in 32 matches, so they will be feeling confident about their chances of picking up a positive result.
The visitors can look to the very in-form Uriel Antuna for a spark in attack. Antuna scored both goals in the series against Montreal and is coming off scoring a goal with Mexico in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.
Luis Mendoza has also contributed with two assists in the tournament and will be one of the players called upon to create chances for the visitors.
Pumas are boosted by the 2022 SCCL’s top scorer thus far in Juan Ignacio Dinenno, who has five goals. Dinenno gets plenty of support in attack, including flying fullback Alan Mozo, who has three assists in the tournament.
