Alarm bells ring for Cruz Azul as star exits with injury
During Cruz Azul’s win over Rayados, Rodolfo Rotondi was substituted after a collision with Monterrey defender Ricardo Chávez.
Cruz Azul continued its impressive run in the Apertura 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Monterrey, adding another win against a top-tier opponent. But the celebration was tempered by concern over Rodolfo Rotondi, who was forced to leave the match following a head injury.
The Argentine winger was involved in a head-to-head collision with Ricardo Chávez, resulting in a visible wound. Although he received immediate medical attention and returned to play with protective gear, Rotondi exited the match early in the second half.
His departure raised questions about whether he was dealing with more than just the initial injury. Speaking to AS México, Cruz Azul head coach Nicolás Larcamón clarified that the decision to substitute Rotondi was precautionary.
“About protecting him”
“Rodo had a significant head laceration and was clearly uncomfortable. That’s why the substitution was not only tactical - it was also about protecting him,” Larcamón explained during the post-match press conference. “We felt it was important to take care of him and also take advantage of the depth we have. Omar [Campos] is a reliable and decisive player for matches like this.”
Rotondi left the pitch in the 52nd minute, with Campos stepping in to fill the role. The 28-year-old Argentine will now focus on recovery ahead of Cruz Azul’s final two matches of the regular season against Puebla and Pumas.
“Important part comes in playoffs”
Larcamón also reflected on Cruz Azul’s strong performances against top-table teams, emphasizing that while the results are encouraging, the real test lies ahead.
“We’ve been very consistent in these matchups against teams that share our ambitions. Our performance has been outstanding,” he said. “But I’ve said it throughout the regular season - the truly important part comes in the playoffs.”
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