TV Azteca sees Cruz Azul with an abysmal advantage over Flamengo for fewer games in 2025 By Thiago Lemos
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Copa Intercontinental 2025 advances to the quarterfinals with a clash between Flamengo and Cruz Azul scheduled for December 10, at 2pm (Brasília time), at Estádio Lusail, at The Mexican channel TV The main justification presented is the significant difference in the number of matches played by the teams throughout the season.
While Flamengo will arrive at the game completing its 76th official match in 2025, Cruz Azul will only play its 54th. The Mexican broadcaster also highlighted the period of 18 days without games that the celestial team had after the end of the regular phase of the Torneio Apertura.
The confrontation between Derby and Américas is defined. Flamengo x Cruz Azul, December 10th, at Catar!#DefinedConfrontation pic.twitter.com/rY7bs75lyo
— FL4MENGO (@Flamengo)December 1, 2025
Opposite teams schedule
Cruz Azul ended the Apertura classification phase on November 9, with a 3-2 defeat to Pumas. The team only returned to the field on November 27th, for the first game of the quarter-finals against Chivas, which ended 0-0.
Last Sunday, November 30th, the teams met again and Cruz Azul won 3-2, with a winning goal in the 51st minute of the second half. Chicharito Hernández, from Chivas, missed a penalty in stoppage time.
Upcoming appointments before Catar
Cruz Azul will still compete in the semifinals of Apertura against Tigres on December 3rd and 6th. Caso move forward, the Mexican final is scheduled for December 11th and 14th, dates that collide with the final phase of Intercontinental.
Flamengo decides Campeonato Brasileiro this Wednesday, December 3rd, against Vitória. If he wins the title, coach Filipe Luís must take the reserve team to the game against Mirassol, on Sunday 7th, preserving the starters for the tournament at Catar.
Difference in physical wear
- Flamengo: 75 games played so far
- Cruz Azul: 53 games played until the return match against Chivas
- Cruz Azul rest: 18 full days without official games
- Average interval between Flamengo games in November/December: less than 4 days
TV Azteca reinforced that the high number of matches in Flamengo could compromise physical performance in the intercontinental tournament.
Recent history of Cruz Azul
The Mexican team is going through a good phase at Apertura 2025. Nas quarter-finals, eliminated Chivas even playing the second leg away from home. The attack has players like Rodolfo Rotondi, scorer of the decisive goal, and the young Lorenzo Faravelli, named by the local press as “new Messi” for his technical quality.
The Celestial defense conceded just two goals in the two games against Chivas. Goalkeeper Kevin Mier was one of the highlights of the classification.
Red and black preparation for the tournament
Filipe Luís has prioritized the physical recovery of athletes. Após the achievement of Libertadores, part of the cast received extra time off. The medical department monitors the condition of Pedro, Arrascaeta and De La Cruz, who have accumulated the highest scores this season.
The Flamengo embarks for the Catar on December 8th. The club plans to hold two training sessions there before the clash against Cruz Azul.
Format of Copa Intercontinental 2025
The tournament brings together continental champions and representatives by ranking. Flamengo enters directly into the quarterfinals as they are champions of Libertadores 2025. The winner of the duel against Cruz Azul will face the qualifier from Al Ain or The final is scheduled for December 18th, also at Lusail.