Wed Apr 02 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Clásico Joven Heats Up Concacaf Champions Cup: América vs. Cruz Azul

**Mexico City** – The Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals kick off with a highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals América and Cruz Azul, a match-up considered by many to be even bigger than the traditional Clásico Nacional (against Chivas) or Clásico Capitalino (against Pumas). This “Clásico Joven” pits two of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history against each other, with América holding seven titles and Cruz Azul boasting six.

The stakes are incredibly high. The winner of this two-legged tie advances to the semifinals, and the rivalry has intensified following recent finals and league encounters. América’s Kevin Álvarez even stated that the current intensity surpasses other classic matches. Cruz Azul’s Santi Giménez echoed this sentiment, calling the América-Cruz Azul rivalry the best in Liga MX.

Both teams are approaching the game with caution. América will be without star striker Henry Martín due to a muscle injury, while Cruz Azul will be missing Rodo Rotondi and Omar Campos due to injury. Despite the absences, both coaches have named strong starting lineups. André Jardine, América’s manager, opted for a surprising formation without a nominal striker. Meanwhile, Vicente Sánchez, Cruz Azul’s manager, has selected a team designed to counter América’s strength.

The first leg takes place today at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, with kickoff at 7:15 pm CT (9:15 pm ET in the US). The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, with a subsequent Liga MX match between the two teams on the following Saturday. The winner will be determined by aggregate score after both legs, with away goals serving as a tie-breaker if needed.

This clash represents more than just a rivalry; it’s a battle for Concacaf supremacy. The winner will join Tigres and Pumas as Liga MX representatives in the Champions Cup semi-finals, highlighting the importance of this highly anticipated match. The game will be broadcast in the US on TUDN, tudn.com, the TUDN app, and ViX.

Read More