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Liga MX: The week that Guadalajara turned their season around

By Tom Freeman-Eves

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - AUGUST 24: Walter Gael Sandoval #13 of Chivas of Chivas of Chivas looks on during the 7h round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - AUGUST 24: Walter Gael Sandoval #13 of Chivas of Chivas of Chivas looks on during the 7h round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images) /
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Guadalajara close out a fantastic week for the team with a 1 – 0 victory over Atlas in El Clásico Tapatío.

Victory came away at the Estadio Jalisco thanks to a golazo from man-of-the-match Orbelín Pineda. After a goalless first half with plenty of chances for both sides, Pineda broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a thunderous strike from outside the area after buying himself some space with a clever dummy. The only thing more impressive than the goal itself were the celebrations from the young Mexican midfielder:

It’s a result with enormous significance as in the last seven days, Chivas have picked up nine points in three games and now find themselves sat 9th in the table, level on points with 7th place Toluca. Managing to secure three clean sheets in the process in what has been an incredible turn around for Guadalajara who had only managed one point in the opening four rounds.

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It’s difficult to say what could have led to this sudden winning form but, this run started with a 2 – 0 win away at Veracruz immediately after los Tiburones Rojos were thrown into disarray as their head coach stepped down in very controversial circumstances. With the opposition in shambles off the pitch, victory was ripe for the taking for Chivas and could have just been the confidence boost that the team needed.

With fellow early strugglers Pachuca coming next in Liga MX, and Toluca lining up against 3rd place Santos, it’s very likely that we’ll see Chivas sneak their way in to the top eight sooner than expected.

Whilst they’ve still got the looming threats of América, Monterrey and Tigres on the horizon, Chivas also have games to come against more favourable opposition; the likes of Lobos BUAP and Puebla. With the team flying high, suddenly it’s not unreasonable to see the CONCACAF Champions League winners secure their spot in liguilla come the end of the season.

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