What is Cruz Azul’s worst ever Liga MX short tournament performance? Could they beat it in Apertura 2023?

Look away now, Cruz Azul fans. The numbers don’t make for pretty reading. The Liga MX Apertura 2023 campaign has been nothing short of disastrous for La Máquina, summed up by Saturday’s dramatic defeat to Tigres, in which they conceded a winning goal in injury time. The weekend loss leaves them with 11 points from their first 13 matches, which means this could yet be their worst ever short tournament performance.

When did Cruz Azul have their worst short tournament?

The current “record” was posted in the Clausura 2009 tournament, which they finished with only 13 points. Given their form over the last few months, there appears to be no guarantee they will amass at least two points from their four remaining fixtures to avoid hitting a new low. One of Mexico’s biggest and most successful clubs (fourth in terms of Liga MX titles) finds itself in penultimate position in the standings, only ahead of Necaxa.

Back in 2009, head coach Benjamín Galindo was only able to oversee two victories in 17 matches (4-0 against Atlas on matchday two and 4-2 over Necaxa on matchday seven). They drew seven times and lost their eight remaining fixtures, including a 3-1 Clásico Joven defeat to Club América. None of their eight losses were by more than a two-goal margin, but they ended that tournament with the worst defensive record in the division, which completely nullified having the fourth best attack.

La Máquina’s Liga MX Apertura 2023 record

In the current tournament, they have already won more games than they did 14 years ago, with all three of their Apertura 2023 victories coming away from home (2-1 at Monterrey, 2-1 at Atlético San Luis, 3-1 at Necaxa).

But they have drawn only twice so far (2-2 vs Santos, 2-2 vs Mazatlán), which has in turn seen them match that tally of eight defeats with four matches left to play.

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Who will Cruz Azul play in their last four games?

Joaquín Moreno’s men have four games in which to avoid making history for all the wrong reasons. A minimum of three points from home fixtures against León (28 October), Juárez (1 November) and Puebla (12 November), and an away match at Chivas (4 November) will ensure they do it, although the expectation will be for them to take considerably more.

Despite their wretched form, a strong end to the year, which seems unlikely as it stands, could yet see them qualify for the play-in round of the end-of-season playoffs.