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10.02.26 |
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Cruz Azul shows signs of ‘champion syndrome’ after dominating Mexico

Cruz Azul shows signs of ‘champion syndrome’ after dominating Mexico

  • The Mexican champions have experienced a noticeable slump in form during the Apertura 2026 campaign.

  • Early exits in the Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami exposed tactical vulnerabilities.

  • Speculation regarding head coach Joel Huiqui’s authority has added off-pitch tension inside the club.

Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul is struggling to maintain its dominant form during the Apertura 2026 season following a historic championship run that saw them secure both the Clausura 2026 league title and the Campeón de Campeones trophy against Toluca, as initial expectations of a new golden era for the club have given way to inconsistent performances, defensive lapses and growing concerns surrounding what sports analysts describe as ‘champion syndrome’ inside La Noria.

Disappointing exits across international cup competitions

The club’s domestic struggles have been compounded by high profile failures in international competition, most notably a bitter elimination from the Leagues Cup group stage after surrendering a late lead to Chicago Fire, followed by a convincing defeat in the Campeones Cup against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, where the cementeros were thoroughly outplayed and failed to generate offensive solutions against the Major League Soccer champions.

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Squad rotation issues and momentum losses in Liga MX

In domestic league play, head coach Joel Huiqui’s decision to heavily rotate squad members early in the campaign backfired with consecutive defeats against Atlante, Tijuana and Atlas, and despite a brief resurgence highlighted by a victory over rival Club América, recent setbacks including a loss to Monterrey and a collapsed two goal lead against Toluca have confirmed that the squad is lacking its previous competitive edge.

Overconfidence and tactical lapses in crucial moments

The primary issue affecting the championship roster seems rooted in a troubling lack of mental focus during the closing stages of critical matches, as the team frequently builds promising attacking momentum and secures early leads only to drop their physical intensity unexpectedly, allowing opposing clubs to capitalize on defensive disorganization and turn match results around within a matter of minutes.

Internal pressure and tactical adjustments ahead of Liguilla

Beyond on pitch results, rumors concerning internal friction between the coaching staff and the sporting directorate have heightened scrutiny surrounding Huiqui’s leadership, leaving Cruz Azul with urgent adjustments to make during the upcoming FIFA international window if they hope to shake off their championship hangover and mounting pressure in time for a successful Liguilla postseason run.

Cover photos from: @cruzazul

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