Cruz Azul and Toluca open round 2 to play for the Campeón de Campeones
The second round of the Mexican Clausura begins today, but two of the tournament’s main protagonists are not taking the field this weekend. Cruz Azul and Toluca sit out the regular schedule to play the Campeón de Campeones, the traditional showdown between the champion of the previous Clausura and the winner of the Copa MX. For the rest of Liga MX, the calendar goes on — and one of the most awaited clashes takes place at the Estadio Nemesio Diez, better known as El Infierno.
Toluca host Pumas in completely opposite moments
The contrast between the teams could not be clearer. Toluca returned from Guadalajara with a point in the bag after snatching a draw against Chivas at the Akron — a modest result, but one that signals solidity and defensive organisation right in their away opener.
Pumas, on the other hand, are going through a delicate moment. In the first round, the university side were thrashed inside their own Estadio Olímpico Universitario, known as CU, a defeat that hurt. Arriving at El Infierno in this state is an additional challenge: Toluca’s altitude, at around 2,660 metres above sea level, has historically punished visitors who arrive without rhythm and confidence.
The weight of the Campeón de Campeones on the calendar
The absence of Cruz Azul and Toluca from the round is no coincidence. The Campeón de Campeones is a Mexican football classic that precedes the start or the first rounds of the six-month tournament, working as a high-level competitive appetiser. For the two clubs, the game also represents a readiness test: the pressure of lifting a trophy right at the start of the season can define the internal mood for weeks.
Cruz Azul, a current force of Mexican football, and Toluca, a club of long tradition and owner of one of the biggest fan bases in the country, wage a dispute that goes beyond the result itself. The winner arrives at the Clausura with high morale. The loser will need to respond quickly in the following rounds — and the Mexican championship does not usually wait.
