Cruz Azul’s short new era under Joel Huiqui reaches another international evening on Wednesday, when the Mexican side face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup. Huiqui is one match from a third trophy as coach of La Máquina, having taken charge for only 20 games.
Key takeaways
- Huiqui has already guided Cruz Azul to the Liga MX title and the Campeón de Campeones.
- The Campeones Cup offers Cruz Azul the chance to add another international honour to their collection.
- Messi will meet Cruz Azul again, the club he faced in his Inter Miami debut.
- Kevin Mier is expected to start in goal for the Mexican champions.
- Erik Lira, Agustín Palavecino, José Paradela and Charly Rodríguez are set to form the side’s central balance.
A rapid rise for Huiqui
The match against Inter Miami presents Huiqui with an unusually swift opportunity to continue a trophy-filled beginning on the Cruz Azul bench. His team have already collected the Liga MX crown and the Campeón de Campeones during his opening spell in charge.
Now comes a cross-border test against an Inter Miami side led by Messi. The Argentine’s appearance adds another thread to the occasion: Cruz Azul were the opponents when he first played for the Florida club.
For Huiqui, the fixture is a chance to make it three titles in 20 matches and to give Cruz Azul another piece of silverware from a competition linking Mexican and North American football.
Cruz Azul’s expected team
Cruz Azul are expected to rely on Kevin Mier between the posts, with Jesús Orozco Chiquete, Willer Ditta, Gonzalo Piovi and Omar Campos forming the defensive line.
Further forward, Palavecino, Lira, Paradela and Charly Rodríguez are likely to provide control through the middle. Carlos Rotondi and Nicolás Ibáñez complete the projected starting XI as Huiqui prepares for the latest final of his brief, productive reign.
