Sánchez out, Aquino recovers as América prepare to face Cruz Azul | OneFootball

América have mixed news on the midfield injury front ahead of Sunday’s Clásico Joven with Cruz Azul at the Estadio Azteca.

Richard Sánchez is set to be rested after picking up a knock in Thursday’s Concacaf Champions League final defeat to Monterrey.

The Paraguay international was replaced by Antonio Lopéz in the 67th minute.

With the Azulcrema already guaranteed to finish top of the Apertura table, the club’s medical staff deem it not worth the risk to play him in their penultimate regular season outing.

On the plus side, Pedro Aquino is likely to be available for selection to manager Santiago Solari.

The Peruvian was forced off with a tight hamstring during last weekend’s league win over Tigres.

Aquino missed the Champions League decider in midweek, but has since resumed training with Las Águilas.

It would not behoove América to take chances with players’ fitness as the Liguilla comes into view.

Sunday’s game means much more to Cruz Azul than their Mexico city rivals, as La Máquina need three points to boost their hopes of finishing in the top four and qualifying automatically for the quarter-finals.