Joel Huiqui to Make Clasico Joven Debut With Full Squad at Cruz Azul

Joel Huiqui is about to experience something he's never faced before: coaching a Clasico Joven. And he'll do it with news any coach would take before a match like this, a full squad. Cruz Azul's manager confirmed the returns of Carlos Rotondi and Gonzalo Piovi for the clash against America, right when he needed them most.

That's no small detail for the coaching staff. The last few weeks of a packed schedule had cut into Huiqui's training time, and that shows in the way he talks about how his team arrived at this point. "We've had three weeks of good work. Before that we had a lot of matches and it made things difficult. These past few weeks we've been able to fix a lot of things, build on what was already working, and what people see on the field today will be different," he explained.

With Rotondi and Piovi back available, and with what the club added in the transfer market, the coach's message was direct: there are arguments for fighting for the back-to-back title. "We'll have the full squad, with Gonzalo back and Rodo doing well physically. You'll see a good version of the team. The essence has never been lost. We are the defending champions and we'll keep showing that we deserve to be back-to-back champions," Huiqui added.

Ralph Orquin, a bet on the future

Among Cruz Azul's recent moves is Ralph Orquin, the latest reinforcement confirmed for 2026. The left back arrived as a free agent after his contract with America ended and signed a three-year deal with La Maquina, though he comes in after more than a year without playing an official match.

Huiqui was clear that there's no rush with him. "In the analysis we always do, we look for opportunities with players who fit the club's profile. We believe Ralph is a player who could give us a lot going forward. He's been out for months, but that's part of the process, he'll tell his own story, what happened to him. Today he's an asset for the club and we hope he gets back to the level he once showed," the Cruz Azul boss said.

Inter Miami and Messi will have to wait

As soon as the Clasico Joven wraps up, Cruz Azul has another date on the calendar, the Campeones Cup against Inter Miami. That's where the draw of a possible matchup with Lionel Messi comes in, but Huiqui preferred not to look ahead even a step. "We have an important match this weekend without losing sight of another key match to bring one more cup to Azul. We've studied how that opponent plays and worked on it without taking our focus off America," he said.

The priority, he stressed, is what's right in front of him. "Today the most important thing for me is focusing on this match. Getting through it well will matter, but obviously the next opponent comes first," Huiqui closed, with his mind on his debut in a match that carries as much weight as any trophy up for grabs.