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Liga MX: El Clasico Tapatio

By Tom Freeman-Eves

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - APRIL 20: Oscar Macias (L) of Chivas and Cristian Calderon (R) of Atlas compete for the ball during the 16th round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - APRIL 20: Oscar Macias (L) of Chivas and Cristian Calderon (R) of Atlas compete for the ball during the 16th round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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This weekend sees struggling Guadalajara sides Atlas face off against cross town rivals C.D. Guadalajara in a match with huge importance for both sides.

Atlas are currently without a win in Liga MX and many have suggested that manager Gerardo Espinoza’s job could be in the firing line. Luckily for Espinoza, derbies have a way of defying form and, no matter where each side sits in the table, anything can happen. An added boost is that the derby this year will be held at the Estadio Jalisco, Los Rojinegros’ home.

Chivas on the other hand have found their fortunes overturned this week as they’ve managed to pick up back to back wins against Veracruz and Necaxa. In a similar situation to Espinoza, prior to this week many suggested that José Cardozo’s head could be on the chopping block. Handed a poison chalice at the start of the season, Cardozo took over the CONCACAF winners after several key departures and, for a long time, it looked unlikely that his tenure would last until the Club World Cup. If he can pick up a win this weekend, he might just remain in the hot seat for the remainder of the season.

Not only does the game have enormous consequences for the managers, like any good derby, it’s also one the biggest days of the year for fans. The Clasico Tapatio as it’s become known is the oldest derby in Mexico, having first been played in 1916, and represents fans from different walks of life within the city.

Atlas were formed by students from the city’s European university and have come to represent the upper class whereas Chivas were representative of the middle and lower class. Chivas like to think of themselves as the embodiment of the backbone of Mexico, a feeling strengthened by their policy only to field Mexican players. As you can imagine, when differing political and socioeconomic views collide via a football pitch, the result is heated to say the least with the derby playing host to some fairly controversial moments over the years.

One such moment occurred on 24th April 1955 in a game that saw Chivas win 5 – 0 but, remarkably, this wasn’t the main talking point. Only 16 minutes in to the game, Chivas were leading 3 – 0 and were in complete control so goalkeeper Jaime ‘Tubo’ Gómez made the decision that he wasn’t really needed. Tubo then took a seat against the post and began reading a magazine!

Needless to say, Tubo’s actions didn’t go down well with the Atlas fans but, for Chivas, the man is a legend.

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Often compared to the great cross-town derbies such as Boca vs River, Celtic vs Rangers or Madrid vs Atletico, this is not one to be missed. Whatever you might have thought your plans were this weekend, cancel them. Put your phone on voicemail, grab some tacos and maybe a couple cerevezas and sit down to enjoy the show!

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