“Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t”.
– Mark Twain.
“…but no one was interested in the facts. They preferred the invention because this invention expressed and corroborated their hates and fears so perfectly”.
– James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son.
The old rivalry which exists among Chivas and America is one which has been replicated through the ages. But what does it really mean to be a rival or to be a part of a rivalry? Let’s take a look at what Merriam Webster has to say about that and try to go beyond the economics and showmanship involved in the Clasico del Futbol Mexicano.
The word "rival" most commonly refers to a person or group trying to defeat or be more successful than another person or group, meaning that rivals tend to come in pairs.
Rivalry can also mean "equal" or "even. When the word is used in this way, it usually conveys how good or impressive something or someone is.
As a verb, rival has a meaning that relates to this last sense of the noun. The verb is most often used to say that someone or something possesses qualities or abilities that approach or equal those of another.
The noun rivalry has to do with the state or situation in which the rivals exist (usually in the sense of "competitor"), or in which the rivalry occurs.
The struggle between Chivas and America for over half a century is certainly one to look forward season to season. No matter how well or how badly both teams are doing, soccer fans the nation over, propios y extraños, all tune in to be witness of the Battle Royale.
Statistically speaking, America has started off well this season with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, positioning themselves in 4th place. Chivas, on the other hand, got off to a slow start but with the coming of Victor Manuel Vucetich have slowly begun to display order in their game and most importantly are able to finish the plays with balls in the back of the net, winning 4, tying 3 and losing 3 to find themselves in 6th place. A win for either team will not only salt the wounds of rivalry past, but will also further either teams aspirations in birthing a spot in the playoffs.
So as you can see, a win or a loss will doubly stoke the flames of rivalry in this particular game. Another very significant point which might be overlooked is that the Covid 19 pandemia has made a win crucial for both teams fanbase who need something to uplift their spirits.
During the last 10 years America has had a slight advantage over Guadalajara, winning 10 to Chivas 6 victories. The last decade has also had 7 ‘clasicos empates’ creating the softest of whispers among the talking heads who are already planning how to build up and bring down either one of the teams to their greater glory and of course TV ratings. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
Putting aside the controversy that always surrounds both teams, the referee tendencies, etc., both teams are displaying a natural offensive style on the pitch in the Guard1anes 2020, perhaps America more so than Guadalajara. The Aguilas have 21 goals in favor to Chivas 10, but America has also allowed 15 goals to find the back of their net. This might be their weakness. Chivas has allowed only 8 goals showing a strong defensive line, which actually makes it the second best of all the league.
The statistics make me agree a bit with the talking heads, we might just be witness to another Clasico Empate, but after looking at the stats, and obviously due to the Rojiblanco Blood running through my veins, I see a slight advantage towards Chivas.
Grudgingly, I have to admit, I have watched bits and pieces of America’s last 3 games. Know thine Enemy. Offensively, they are a well-oiled machine, still there are granitos negros en el arroz. They are not so spot on passing, hovering around 76% passing accuracy. From what I could see, their goals are more due to their opponent errors and less due to their on-play finishing.
Defensively, they lean towards the shambolic. They receive a high number of preventive cards and have had 56 fouls called against them in the last 3 matches. A marked imbalance which could lead to a defensive mistake and a Chiva victory. The stats say a tie but my heart says Rebaño.
They are showing a collective play that wasn’t there before. Possession and ball circulation are above 86%. The only thing we need is to score more and from what I can observe that has been the dynamic during practice: find the net.
As I mentioned in the last article the Chiva Crew have evolved into a Band of Brothers. The camaraderie demonstrated on the pitch can only be found within groups which have suffered adversity together. Pierre de Coubertin, the French educator who played a central role in the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, was quoted as saying “The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.” In Mexico we say “Lo que no mata, engorda”.
