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Joel Huiqui faces the music for Cruz Azul after poor start in Liga MX: "The only way to change it is all together"
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Joel Huiqui faces the music for Cruz Azul after poor start in Liga MX: "The only way to change it is all together"

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Cruz Azul suffered their second consecutive loss in the Liga MX Apertura 2026, falling 2-1 to Tijuana.
  • Coach Joel Huiqui acknowledged defensive errors but noted the team had chances to score.
  • Huiqui also cited the demanding schedule and player fatigue as contributing factors to recent results and injuries.

Cruz Azul faces mounting pressure after a second consecutive defeat in the Liga MX Apertura 2026, losing 2-1 to Tijuana at the Estadio Caliente. Coach Joel Huiqui addressed the team's performance, acknowledging defensive lapses that proved costly.

It was an intense match, we made mistakes in the defensive phase. We tried to counter and were close to scoring before them; their goalkeeper made a couple of saves. These are two losses, but the only way to change the result is by doing it together.

— Joel HuiquiAcknowledging the team's defensive errors and the need for collective effort after the loss to Tijuana.

"It was an intense match, we made mistakes in the defensive phase," Huiqui stated. "We tried to counter and were close to scoring before them; their goalkeeper made a couple of saves. These are two losses, but the only way to change the result is by doing it together."

Huiqui also highlighted the impact of the demanding schedule on his players' physical condition. The accumulation of matches has led to fatigue and several injuries within the squad, making recovery a critical focus for the team. "So many games diminish your physical capacity, some players got injured, and now the recovery part will be important. We hope to have everyone back next week," he explained.

So many games diminish your physical capacity, some players got injured, and now the recovery part will be important. We hope to have everyone back next week.

— Joel HuiquiExplaining the impact of the demanding schedule on player fitness and the importance of recovery.

Despite the adverse results, the coach backed his players' attitude and effort, particularly in a challenging away match. "Today the adaptation was very complicated. The players didn't make any excuses, they always gave their all to face each game," Huiqui concluded. With two straight losses, Cruz Azul is experiencing early-season pressure, and Huiqui emphasized the need for a collective response.

Today the adaptation was very complicated. The players didn't make any excuses, they always gave their all to face each game.

— Joel HuiquiPraising the players' attitude and effort despite the difficult circumstances of the match.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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