LIGA MX
Will Alejandro Zendejas play against Cruz Azul? Club América forward injured
The USMNT winger was substituted after picking up an injury against León and left the field in tears.
Club América forward Alejandro Zendejas will miss the upcoming Clásico Joven against Cruz Azul after sustaining an injury during a recent Liga MX outing.
The 25-year-old was substituted towards the end of América’s 1-1 draw with León at Estadio Azteca. Zendejas went down clutching his leg despite there being no contact, sparking concern that he had suffered a serious muscular injury.
Those fears were compounded when footage of Zendejas on the America bench, tears in his eyes, began circulating online.
However on Tuesday Diario Récord reported that the former Chivas player had been evaluated by a doctor and the injury is not as serious as first feared. The United States international is expected to return to the team in the coming weeks.
He will not recover in time to feature in the clash with Cruz Azul on Saturday, 2 September.
You can watch a live stream of the Cruz Azul vs America in the LIGA MX on FuboTV
Club America schedule will prove tough
Although Zendejas’ injury is less serious than initially thought, the talented forward will miss a crucial part of the season for America. After five games Las Águilas have picked up eight points, leaving them fifth in the table.
Last season they reached the semi-final of the play-offs but acted swiftly to bring in former Atletico San Luis coach Andre Jardine to lead the team. They will expect to make it to the late stages of the post-season once again, and the next few weeks could be crucial.
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On Saturday they face city neighbours Cruz Azul, and follow that up with a Superclásico against Chivas after the international break. They will hope that the two-week pause for international fixtures will allow Zendejas to make a full recovery.
The USMNT forward is a key part of Jardine’s attacking style of play, something that the new head coach insists will remain.
“It’s very difficult to change América’s specific style of football, the DNA is too strong,” Jardine explained recently.
“We see ourselves playing a much more attacking style of football in the league, perhaps the most attacking of all.”