MIAMI, Florida – It will be a familiar setting for both Cruz Azul and CF Montreal when the two sides meet in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
For Cruz Azul, it will be the third series versus a Canadian side in the last two editions of the SCCL. One year ago, La Maquina took down Toronto FC, 4-1, in the quarterfinals and then eliminated Forge FC, 4-1, in this year’s Round of 16.
CF Montreal are also familiar with Mexican opposition, having eliminated Santos Laguna 3-1 in this year’s Round of 16 and gone up against both Pachuca and Club America in their run to the 2014-15 Final, including a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Azteca against Club America in that Final’s first leg.
Four different players found the back of the net for Cruz Azul against Forge, including Romulo Otero, who also chipped in for an assist. Luis Mendoza has been a big contributor as well for the six-time Concacaf champions, with two assists against Forge and leading the team in passes with 111.
In the previous round against Santos, Montreal showed that they were undaunted by playing on Mexican soil, narrowly falling 1-0 on a late goal in Torreon. The Quebec club will be out for an improved result in this leg and will turn to FW Romell Quioto for inspiration.
The Honduran attacker scored in the series against Santos for his sixth career SCCL goal and has paired nicely up top with Djordje Mihailovic, who had a goal and an assist versus Santos.
Those two and more will hope to give Montreal another positive result in Mexico City’s famed stadium.
