“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.” ― Charles Bukowski, Factotum
Los números no mienten. The numbers don’t lie. Pumas has never been an easy nut to crack for Chivas. During the last decade the teams have played 26 games with a very slight difference in favor of the team from Guadalajara: eight wins, twelve draws and six losses. Seven of those victories have taken place in La Perla Tapatía.
Come Saturday night, Club Guadalajara will have yet another chance to add to their positive numbers. In fact, one of the best chances they have had in a long time.
Pumas is on a down streak, losing three straight and drawing two of their last five games. Contrary to El Guadalajara who seem to have found their stride. The Persistence and Resistance shown in the last three games demonstrating a noticeable upward spiral in Cadena’s starting Eleven. Still much more was expected of them. Much more now, having full fan-base support, a fanbase which exited the Akron chanting and singing as we have not seen in many moons, all the love and good vibes held back for so long, finally found an output, El Rebaño.
It’s obvious that both teams have high expectations for Saturday’s game. Looking at both Pumas and Chivas recent results we can predict a definite forward focused game as both teams have the need to keep adding digits on the Position Board. The Oncena Tapatía needs to put their foot down and confirm their improvement and Pumas need to break out of their negative miasma or kiss their Play Off dreams good bye.
Chivas offensive line is healthy and looks dangerous with the resurgence of 'Cone' Brizuela who seems to be ready to be the leader he needs to be in midfield to connect with the forwards and focus on getting the ball into the net. The patched-up midfield which had been Guadalajara’s the most stable line performed well against Monterrey, a much more mature Beltran and the reincorporation of 'Checo' Flores using their experience to manage the defensive and offensive flow.
Defensively, the team has looked solid and confident having finally found a balance of experience and youth. Cadena has forged a strong defensive line and has built the team starting from the defense towards the front. Yes, we haven’t won many games but we are number two defensively.
When everything is all said and done, it all boils down to which team wants the victory the most. Come game day will be the perfect time for Chivas to go all in and show that they are ready to take control of the Liga and start down the road in search the 13th star.
Time for the good fight.
