América and Chivas want to vindicate themselves with the fans for their irregularity in the tournament
From the Editorial
La Jornada Newspaper
Friday, September 15, 2023, p. a10
Instability has accompanied the Águilas and Chivas in this tournament, but the fans do not seem to abandon them and have a sold-out box office for this Saturday at the Azteca stadium. Thus, with an irregular pace, they will reach the so-called national classic, a duel that is an opportunity to recover in sports and meet again with the followers, said former American player Juan Carlos Medina.
If something makes this match special, it is the interest of the followers, which transcends borders. Without detracting from the other classics, this one has greater importance, he noted.
The Eagles have had a more complex path this campaign, as the team has had a hard time adapting to the game system since the arrival of Brazilian coach André Jardine. Heading into matchday eight of the Apertura 2023 tournament, the Coapa squad is in sixth place with just three wins, although it has a streak of five games without losing, with one match pending.
Although the Eagles face a peculiar scenario, they will also have to deal with complications on the bench. Coach Jardine will experience his first national classic with a rapid recovery after having surgery on Tuesday for appendicitis. The helmsman even returned to training on Thursday and is expected to be in the game.
The American squad will rely on striker Julián Quiñones, who has stood out as a scorer in his first season with the capital, while forward Henry Martín still remains in doubt, having overcome an injury a few days ago that kept him off the field for a month.
I know that the fans expect a lot from me, I am aware of what I have to do, I don’t want to have pressure. I already played a classic (against Chivas) with Atlas, now with América the excitement will be double, assured Quiñones.
The journey has not been easy for Chivas either. After a good start to the season, the team has not been able to recover after the Leagues Cup and has gone four games without winning, with two consecutive defeats, and is in fourth place.
▲ I know they expect a lot from me, admits Julián Quiñones ahead of his first national classic. Photo @ClubAmerica
In addition, their star player Alexis Vega is in doubt, who was also affected by injuries since date four.
The general statistics favor the Águilas, as they have won three times in the last four editions of the classic. Only in the last tournament, Chivas rebelled against the hegemony of their bitter rival by emerging victorious under the command of Velkjo Paunovic.
Even though both clubs, considered part of the big four of Mexican soccer, have not convinced with their play, the fans have responded by selling out the tickets.
It will be an interesting match. It has happened that both of them do not arrive at their best moment, but the role of the fans is always important. Even at Azteca, Chivas fans have been present, acknowledged Medina, who wore the American colors from 2011 to 2014.
The pause at the start of the Leagues Cup tournament affected them. Now they need to recover. The classics serve to unite and take off. They have the need to win and that forces them to put on a good show, he added.
Women’s duel
On the weekend the fans will enjoy a doubleheader of classics, because in the women’s category America will host Chivas on Sunday. However, in that division, both clubs have had a better participation and even fight for the lead.
The Águilas, who have strikers Katty Martínez, Alison González and Kiana Palacios, boast the title of champions and are in second place, one point behind Tigres, which is at the top. The Guadalajara team, in turn, are third with just three points less than their staunch rival, but their offensive is led by scorer Alicia Cervantes.
2023-09-15 08:23:17
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