Cruz Azul faces Atlante in Matchday 3 of the Apertura 2026, a clash that reignites the feud between Miguel Herrera and Iván Alonso. The game at Estadio Banorte will revisit their 2024 confrontation, when Alonso, then Xolos manager, challenged Herrera over public criticism. League standing: 2nd in Liga MX, 6 pts, 2W-0D-0L from 2 games, recent form WW.
What happened between Herrera and Alonso?
The conflict erupted after the Clausura 2024 Matchday 4 game between Cruz Azul and Xolos. Alonso, upset by Herrera’s remarks about his tenure at La Máquina, confronted him in the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes tunnels. The argument turned physical, requiring security intervention. The Mexican Football Commission suspended Alonso for one month and fined Herrera for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Why does this matter for Cruz Azul?
The team enters as Apertura 2026 leaders with back-to-back wins, including a 2-1 victory over Puebla on July 22. Goals this season: 5 scored, 3 conceded (+2 goal difference). Alonso, now Cruz Azul’s sporting director, stands by his actions, insisting Herrera should have answered for his comments in person, though he admits the setting was poor.
What’s next for La Máquina?
After this match, Cruz Azul travels to face table-topping Club Tijuana on August 17. Recent form (last 5): 4W-1D-0L (WWWDW, most recent first); on a 3-game winning run. The reunion with Herrera, now at Atlante, adds a personal subplot to a high-stakes season for the Cementeros.
