“Two words”, Epictetus says, “should be committed to memory and obeyed by alternatively exhorting and restraining ourselves, words that will ensure we lead a mainly blameless and untroubled life”. Those two words were ‘persist and resist’.
Time has a funny way of putting things into perspective. 3 games, 9 points. A winning streak unthought of 3 weeks ago.
And so, it is that once again we find ourselves on a path where we are commanders of our own destiny. El Rebaño has magnificently managed to out-play their rivals. No easy task. Quite impressive for some, procedural for others. IMO, they just kept it simple and let the flow take them over. You can’t stop the river, the Endless Knot.
The flow is there and now it is time to allow the flow continuity. It seems that Chivas is in a constant battle with itself. The players are there, the guidance is there still they seem to continuously trip over the same stone. Themselves. Perhaps this time they have learned. Flow. Continuity. Harmony.
Chivas is not obligated to win games before they even happen. They need to be played first. Already, comments flying through the web and airways: Chivas has to win against Necaxa. Yes, there is a need to move up the table and emerge victorious, inching ever closer to the playoffs. Time, it would seem, is of the essence.
Players, aficionados and talking heads must understand that 'things' don't just magically happen. Before even thinking of winning, Chivas first needs to concentrate on playing. A mind focused solely on the outcome is easily distracted. If the mind is centered on the present it will find the future eventually.
So, what do these stats say about Friday’s match? Exactly squat. Games need to be played and the stats are the salt and pepper to spice up the meal. One thing is certain. Both Chivas and Necaxa are coming off a big win and the motivation is high. The only acceptable outcome for both teams being to take the 3 points home to ensure a good spot in the WildCard matches and then, hopefully, the playoffs.
My take? Our Red & Whites have everything in their favor to continue the winning streak against Los Rayos. As I have said a plethora of times before, Chivas has the best batch of young Mexican players currently playing in the Liga MX. It took time to find the path through Persistence and Resistance. The Red and White Creed. The Chiva Way.
