Atlas and Cruz Azul will play this Sunday in Carson, California, the official match called Liga MX Super Cup in its first edition. This is because Atlas is already Champion of Champions by being two-time champion of Mexican soccer, while Cruz Azul won the last edition of the Champion of Champions in 2021.
Atlas has had little time to prepare after celebrating the Clausura 2022 championship. For now, they started the preseason on the right foot with a 1-0 win against Chivas in Chicago.
“The match against Cruz Azul is going to be very tough, we must prepare in the best way. Short time, or few vacations, is no excuse. We are ready and prepared to make a great final and continue to grow. These important games show us what we are for”, said coach Diego Cocca at a press conference this Saturday.
Atlas is only the third two-time champion team in the era of short tournaments in Mexican soccer, along with Pumas and León. Before that, the red and black fans had not celebrated a championship since 1951.
“When you stop the ball a little and analyze it, what was achieved has been wonderful. Not only the first championship, which was incredible to break a 70-year drought, but also to repeat it, which for me is much more difficult. I highlight the commitment and ambition that my players have. In that sense I am very happy, proud and committed”, added the Argentine strategist.
Opposite, Atlas will have Cruz Azul as a rival. La Maquina will debut its new strategist, Diego Aguirre, in an official match. Although the time he has been working at the head of the group is short, Aguirre hopes to begin to shape his idea.
“For me it is a great pride to be in a great institution like Cruz Azul. We have worked very well within our possibilities, there are still many things to do because we haven’t had all the players. In my case, I am new to the club, I want more training, get to know the players more, have games and I will surely go there understanding more what Mexican soccer is. It doesn’t mean that we have the ambition to win the game, give our best and go for a final. Not thinking about what we lack, but about what we have”, said Diego Aguirre.
The Uruguayan coach acknowledged feeling pressure being in charge of a team like Cruz Azul, but it is something that motivates him on a personal level.
“Pressure always (feel) if you’re in a big team, I don’t know any other way to feel,” Aguirre said. “We are very eager, with a great attitude, generating links that are good. Logically there is uncertainty regarding performance, I’ll see when it’s time to play”.
As usual, the Ballon d’Or award ceremony for the best of Liga MX will take place this Saturday, followed by the Super Cup match on Sunday as part of the Mexican league festivities.
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