Cruz Azul defender Jesús Orozco Chiquete Suffers Ankle Injury in Loss to Tigres
Jesús Orozco Chiquete sustained a serious right ankle injury during Cruz Azul’s 1-0 victory over Tigres on December 7, 2023, a result that wasn’t enough to advance them to the Liga MX final. The defender entered the match in the 63rd minute but was stretchered off the field just 22 minutes later.
The injury occurred as Orozco Chiquete attempted to block a powerful shot from Tigres’ Ángel Correa. His ankle bent awkwardly upon impact, resulting in an immediate sprain. Teammates and medical personnel rushed to his aid, and he was carried to the locker room at University Stadium. Cruz Azul had already used all five of their substitutions, forcing them to play the remainder of the match with 10 players. Despite scoring an own goal that briefly ignited hope, they ultimately fell short of overcoming the aggregate tie, sending tigres to the final against Toluca.
Cruz Azul manager Nicolás Larcamón described the situation as “not looking good at all,” but refrained from offering a specific diagnosis pending the results of medical examinations. “Look, about Jesus, we are waiting for the results, the truth is that the situation does not look good at all, I do not want to go ahead and give you a diagnosis without first truly having the conclusion of the studies and the doctors. Later, surely in these hours you will have the result much more clearly,” Larcamón stated.
The injury is a critically important blow to Cruz Azul, who were seeking a spot in the championship final. Orozco Chiquete’s condition will be closely monitored as the club awaits further updates from medical staff.
