Cruz Azul’s schedule, strengths and Flamengo insight: journalist’s view

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Coluna do Fla

·5 Desember 2025

Cruz Azul’s schedule, strengths and Flamengo insight: journalist’s view

Coluna do Fla spoke with journalist Fernando Villalobos from Diario Récord, Mexico

Flamengo is going through a tough final stretch of the season, with one decisive match after another. However, their next opponent, Cruz Azul, is in a similar situation. The rival of Mengão in the first match of the Intercontinental Cup is in the semifinals of the Mexican Championship and faces a decisive clash just before departing for Qatar.

To get to know a bit more about the team, which is in the Intercontinental Cup for having won the last ConcaChampions (the ‘Libertadores’ of Central and North America), Coluna do Fla had a chat with Mexican journalist Fernando Villalobos from Diario Récord. The reporter highlighted the team’s strengths and weaknesses, their favorite tactical setup, and how Flamengo is seen in Mexico.

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WHAT IS THEIR FAVORITE TACTICAL SETUP?

— In Cruz Azul under (coach Nicolás) Larcamón, the full-backs are fundamental. The team usually opts to play with three center-backs and wing-backs who operate on both flanks. The formation is 5-4-1 in defense and 3-4-2-1 in attack. Erik Lira, playing as a sweeper in central defense and moving up to midfield when attacking, is a key piece of the team — said Fernando.

— Cruz Azul is a very associative team, ball possession is one of their greatest virtues, and they have had a clear game plan for some time. This style was implemented during (former coach) Martín Anselmi’s tenure (who is now at Porto-POR) and today Nicolás Larcamón has continued it — he added.

WHAT IS CRUZ AZUL’S WEAKNESS?

Cruz Azul has a problem ‘similar’ to that of Flamengo. Currently, Filipe Luís’s team is struggling with the absence of a number 9 due to Pedro’s injury. In the Mexican team, according to Fernando, no player has the characteristic of consistently finding the back of the net.

— The center-forward position should be one of Cruz Azul’s weakest points, because, despite being a team that scores a lot, they don’t have a striker who really makes a difference. In the middle of the year, Gabriel Fernández was not expected to remain with the team and they were looking for a way out, but the board couldn’t sign anyone to replace him, so he ended up staying and has become a starter in recent weeks — he reported.

— Ángel Sepúlveda has been the team’s most consistent scorer in recent years, however, for various reasons, Larcamón hasn’t given him a guaranteed starting spot, and by alternating with Fernández, his goal tally has dropped in this tournament — Fernando pointed out.

IS THE MEXICAN CALENDAR ALSO DEMANDING?

While Flamengo will have a week of rest, as they will field their under-20 team against Mirassol this Saturday (06), Cruz Azul will keep their ‘foot on the gas’. This Wednesday (03), Mengão’s opponent drew 1-1 with Tigres (MEX) at home and will fight for a spot in the Mexican Championship final as visitors on Sunday (07), at 12:10 am Brasília time.

— The Liga MX format is “special”. It’s not a league won by points, but rather a regular phase of six months (Apertura 2025) and then the top eight teams play the Final Phase, called Liguilla (Playoffs). That’s why the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final are played over two legs, with matches twice a week — Fernando explained.

— Cruz Azul’s tight schedule could be a factor in Flamengo’s favor, because there’s a chance Cruz Azul could reach the final of Mexican football and then have to travel to Qatar to play the Intercontinental Cup, and then return to Mexico to play the local title final on December 25 and 28 — he detailed.

WHAT DO THEY KNOW ABOUT FLAMENGO IN MEXICO?

In summary, Flamengo hasn’t faced a Mexican team since 2014, when they played León (MEX) in the Libertadores. Although Mengão is far from the country’s spotlight, the Most Beloved is known and respected in Cruz Azul’s homeland. Besides the club’s history and the weight of their shirt, the ‘European’ squad led by Filipe Luís draws attention.

— In Mexico, Flamengo is recognized as one of the biggest teams in Brazil. For many, the biggest. But the reality is that the Brazilian league is not widely followed here. The players who attract the most attention from the current Flamengo squad are those who had successful stints in Europe, like Danilo, Alex Sandro, Jorginho and Saúl Ñiguez. And of course, Giorgian de Arrascaeta — said Fernando.

WHAT WERE THE OTHER TOPICS OF THE INTERVIEW?

Flamengo, Libertadores champion, and Cruz Azul, winner of the Concachampions in June, will face off in the ‘Derby of the Americas’ of the Intercontinental Cup next Wednesday (10). The match kicks off at 2pm (Brasília time), in Qatar. Check out below other points from Fernando Villalobos’s interview with Coluna, from Diario Récord.

FROM THE CHAMPION TEAM IN JUNE UNTIL NOW, MANY CHANGES?

“The core of the team is practically the same as the one that won the Concachampions in the middle of the year, however, there are two new pieces that are now key to the team, one on the field and one on the bench. Nicolás Larcamón took over as Cruz Azul’s head coach after Vicente Sánchez left. As interim coach, he led ‘La Máquina’ to the title, but due to differences with management, he did not remain in charge. José Paradela, a former River Plate player who came to Mexico to shine at Necaxa, became a reinforcement for Cruz Azul last summer and immediately became a key player, an undisputed starter in midfield.”

WHO IS THE STAR OF THE TEAM?

“Cruz Azul is a team that, despite having one of the best squads in Mexican football, does not have a ‘star’ who stands out significantly from other great players with a high and very similar level, which is enhanced by teamwork: Erik Lira, ‘Charly’ Rodríguez, and ‘Nacho’ Rivero are the pillars on the field. Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Rivero is the most senior figure at Cruz Azul, the only one left from the team that won Liga MX in 2021, team captain, and the player who usually shows up in critical moments and important matches.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE INTERCONTINENTAL CUP IN MEXICO?

“The Intercontinental Cup carries a lot of weight for Mexican clubs. Until a few years ago, it was the Club World Cup and represented the most important opportunity to compete against the best in the world. Although the reality is that Liga MX clubs’ performances have historically not been good, with a few exceptions.”

DOES CRUZ AZUL DREAM OF REPEATING PACHUCA’S FEAT OF REACHING THE FINAL AGAINST REAL MADRID LAST YEAR?

“Of course, matching Pachuca’s feat would be a great achievement for Cruz Azul, as it would equal the second-best performance by a Mexican club in this tournament. — counting the old Club World Cup as well — only Tigres and Pachuca have reached the final.”

DID MEXICO WATCH THE LIBERTADORES FINAL BETWEEN FLAMENGO AND PALMEIRAS?

“Since Mexican clubs stopped participating in the Copa Libertadores, the tournament has been followed less and less. And I could say that the average fan only pays special attention in the final stages when the title is decided. The championship final between Flamengo and Palmeiras drew more attention because it was known that the winner would face Cruz Azul in the Intercontinental Cup.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.