MONTREAL, Quebec – CF Montreal will be hoping to create some more Olympic Stadium magic when they face Cruz Azul in the second leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday in Montreal.
Cruz Azul emerged with a 1-0 victory from their first leg contest at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in which the Mexican hosts had ample opportunity to add to their lead, but the only ball to find its way past Montreal GK Sebastian Breza was a first half strike from Uriel Antuna.
Now a difficult task awaits the six-time Concacaf champions from the Mexican capital in the famed Olympic Stadium of Montreal.
The Canadian club have already experienced great success in their home stadium in this tournament, with a 3-0 second leg win over Mexico’s Santos Laguna in the Round of 16.
Montreal would like nothing better than to repeat that feat in front of their home fans and they will be boosted by the return of FW Romell Quioto, who has six career SCCL goals.
Also aiding the cause is veteran FW Kei Kamara, midfield wizard Victor Wanyama and workhorse Joel Waterman, who had three ball recoveries in Mexico City and was second best on the team in completed passes with 33.
Cruz Azul are able to punish opponents several ways, including the playmaking skills of Antuna and Angel Romero, plus the finishing ability of FW Santiago Gimenez.
Meanwhile, Pablo Aguilar, who had five clearances and three ball recoveries in last week’s first leg, will be crucial to helping the visitors keep a clean sheet.
Stats, CF Montreal vs Cruz Azul
