The Chivas’ attacking trident (left to right) Uriel Antuna, Alexis Vega and J.J. Macías (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Guadalajara aims to get on a roll but face critical test at América
It’s Super Clásico Week but the América-Guadalajara contest is not the most attractive game on the Matchday 11 schedule. That’s heresy, I know, but I’m basing that claim on performance and not tradition.
The Aguilas play host to the Chivas in Mexico’s national derby on Saturday night, but Monday’s León-UNAM match pits the league-leading Pumas – the lone remaining unbeaten team in Liga MX – against a club that is currently playing the best football.
One consideration that I believe bolsters my argument is that games are still being played in empty stadiums.
If fans were allowed in attendance, the pageantry and excitement of an overflowing Estadio Azteca would make the Super Clásico the weekend’s clear No. 1 must-see game. But since fans will be hunkered in front of TV sets around the nation, the choice for “Most Attractive Game” must go to the one in which fans will see the best soccer.
But let’s not bicker and argue about this because the easy solution is to simply watch both games. So to help you do that, here’s a brief primer to get you ready for the Super Clásico. (We’ll look at the León-Pumas match in our next feature.)
The Liga MX derby
Guadalajara defeated their rivals in a pre-season Super Clásico, outscoring the Aguilas 4-3 in the semifinals of the Copa GNP. Then the Chivas lost their way.
A virus outbreak during the opening month of the Guardianes 2020 forced four starters to miss games and injuries deprived coach Luis Fernando Tena of another four players. The club’s dismal start (0-1-2) made history as the Chivas failed to score a goal in the first three games of a season for the first time ever. Tena was sacked and Víctor Manuel Vucetich was hired.
As “King Midas” settled in, disciplinary issues arose and starters Alexis Vega and Uriel Antuna were benched for a game. As August came to an end, Guadalajara was 2-2-3 with only 4 goals in 7 matches.
But then the club’s fortunes changed. Perhaps management’s stern approach with Vega and Antuna lit a spark.
Over the past three games, Vega and Antuna have taken part in 5 of the Chivas’ 6 goals. Vega has 1 goal and 3 assists while Antuna found the net twice – the first goals for “El Brujo” since joining the Chivas in December.
On the other end of the pitch, “El Rebaño Sagrado” has played solid defense from the opening whistle and its 8 goals allowed is third-best in Liga MX. Goalkeeping has been an issue, however, and Vucetich replaced error-prone José Antonio Rodríguez with Raúl Gudiño in the last game.
Gudiño did not shine between the pipes, however, and Vucetich has not announced who his starter will be on Saturday.
outscoring the Aguilas 4-3</a> in the semifinals of the Copa GNP. Then the Chivas lost their way.</p>
<p>A virus outbreak during the opening month of the Guardianes 2020 forced four starters to miss games and injuries deprived coach Luis Fernando Tena of another four players. The club’s dismal start (0-1-2) made history as the Chivas failed to score a goal in the first three games of a season for the first time ever. Tena was sacked and Víctor Manuel Vucetich was hired.</p>
<p>As “King Midas” settled in, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/16/chivas-handle-aguilas-liga-mx-derby/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/08/27/chivas-drama-midweek-liga-mx-headlines/">disciplinary issues arose</a> and starters Alexis Vega and Uriel Antuna were benched for a game. As August came to an end, Guadalajara was 2-2-3 with only 4 goals in 7 matches.</p>
<p>But then the club’s fortunes changed. Perhaps management’s stern approach with Vega and Antuna lit a spark.</p>
<p>Over the past three games, Vega and Antuna have taken part in 5 of the Chivas’ 6 goals. Vega has 1 goal and 3 assists while Antuna found the net twice – the first goals for “El Brujo” since joining the Chivas in December.</p>
<p>On the other end of the pitch, “El Rebaño Sagrado” has played solid defense from the opening whistle and its 8 goals allowed is third-best in Liga MX. Goalkeeping has been an issue, however, and Vucetich replaced error-prone José Antonio Rodríguez with Raúl Gudiño in the last game.</p>
<p>Gudiño did not shine between the pipes, however, and Vucetich has not announced who his starter will be on Saturday.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/16/chivas-handle-aguilas-liga-mx-derby/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Health concerns </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Henry Martín might start as América’s lone striker thanks to injuries. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Aguilas injury report continues to grow</h3>
<p>América must compete for each and every trophy; fans and management demand it. Coach Miguel Herrera knows his seat is always hot regardless of his record.</p>
<p>The truth of that statement is reflected in the fact that he just recently set the all-time record for most wins by an Aguilas coach yet he is the target of a vocal social media campaign that wants him fired.</p>
<p>“El Piojo” might be feeling the pressure a bit because this week he complained about the schedule that has América playing its three <em>“Clásicos”</em> back-to-back-to-back. After the <em>Super Clásico</em> against the Chivas, the Aguilas face Cruz Azul in the Junior Classic followed immediately by the hostilities of the <em>Clásico Capitalino</em> against the Pumas.</p>
<p>“El Piojo” has enjoyed success in each of his club’s three Liga MX derbies over the years (he wouldn’t have lasted long on the job if he hadn’t), but it’s hard to see how whining about the calendar helps his wounded team.</p>
<p>Two more players came up lame during Saturday’s match vs Toluca. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/16/chivas-handle-aguilas-liga-mx-derby/"https://www.soyfutbol.com/ligas/Club-America-Federico-Vinas-seria-baja-por-lesion-vs-Chivas-Cruz-Azul-y-Pumas-20200915-0002.html">Striker Federico Viñas tweaked a knee</a> and is questionable for the <em>Super Clásico</em>, while back-up striker Roger Martínez wrenched an ankle and is doubtful.</p>
<p>That leaves Henry Martín – the club’s leading scorer with 5 – alone up front. Wingers Andrés Ibarguen and Gio dos Santos could be called upon to step up, but both have struggled with fitness issues. Ibarguen just came off the injury report last week but did not see action against Toluca, while Gio is still not ready for a full 90 minutes.</p>
<p>Herrera will no doubt have to rely upon his midfield playmakers but there are knocks and niggling injuries aplenty there as well. Nico Benedetti saw action in the past two Liga MX games after seven months of rehab following February knee surgery and Leo Suárez has struggled to find playing time after a late July thigh muscle strain.</p>
<p>Perhaps wonder boy Sebastián Córdova could get back into Herrera’s good graces by simple process of elimination. The América academy product was a popular pick to head to Europe this summer before the pandemic closed pocketbooks.</p>
<p>Most pundits saw Córdova playing a big role in the Guardianes 2020 as he had been shown steady progress since making his Liga MX debut (while on loan at Necaxa) in August 2018. The native of Aguascalientes was the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/16/chivas-handle-aguilas-liga-mx-derby/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf-sqhgptU8&feature=onebox%22>Man of the Match in the previous Super Clásico</a>, scoring twice in América’s 4-1 win over the Chivas on Sept. 28, 2019.</p>
<p>However, Córdova appears to be in Herrera’s doghouse as his playing time has diminished considerably. “El Piojo” has not revealed any reasons for benching the midfielder, though he is fond of saying “I’ll start the players that are in the best form.” There is speculation that the 24-year-old is down after seeing his chances of moving to Europe evaporate and there have been reports of Córdova showing a bad attitude on the training grounds.</p>
<p>Whatever the situation, Saturday’s Classic would be a great opportunity to revive his European dreams.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/16/chivas-handle-aguilas-liga-mx-derby/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> There will be goals </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Sebastián Cordova (in yellow) might get the opportunity to get back in coach Herrera’s good graces. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>America’s defense will be tested</h3>
<p>When Bruno Valdez went down with a season-ending knee injury on Aug. 22, coach Herrera knew he’d be tinkering with his back line for a while. For now, he has settled on the pairing of veteran Emanuel Aguilera and 21-year-old Sebastián Cáceres.</p>
<p>Richard Sánchez and Rubén González form an effective double pivot in front of them and they’ll make it difficult for the Chivas to punch through the middle. But that won’t slow down these frisky Goats as they prefer attacking down the flanks.</p>
<p>The elusive Vega and the speedy Antuna should give América fullbacks fits out wide and, if they find space, it could discombobulate the Aguilas. Jorge Sánchez (right back) and Luis Reyes or Luis Fuentes (on the left) must keep the Chivas wingers in check. That will be no easy task with the in-form Isaac Brizuela buzzing around the “Azulcrema” back-liners as well.</p>
<p>A key to the tactical evolution of the game will be Guadalajara’s midfield formation. Captain Jesús Molina is a certainty and if Fernando Beltrán is deemed fit (he came off the bench against Necaxa, likely as a precaution as “El Nene” has struggled to recover from an August bout with coronavirus), the Chivas might be able to wrest control of the match from their Mexico City rivals.</p>
<p>Hiram Mier and Gilberto Sepúlveda have been solid in the middle of the Chivas defense and if Viñas is unable to go, they will focus their attention on Henry Martín who might play as a lone striker.</p>
<p>We won’t know América’s line-up until gameday but we can expect the Aguilas to sit back, absorb pressure and rely on the counter.</p>
<p>All that’s left to be said is Get Yer Popcorn Ready!</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">