Club América and Chivas disappoint in Liga MX Clásico

The Clásico Nacional fell far short of expectations. Back in Liga MX, Chivas and América both had to settle for a 0-0 draw, a result that keeps the team from the capital fighting for top spot in the Clausura and the team from Jalisco out of the qualification places.

The Game was the third chapter of the story written in just 10 days: the two previous matches ended with a win for each side, but Las Águilas remained alive in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Despite getting through on aggregate, a 3-2 loss at the Estadio Azteca gave Chivas hope and damaged the azulcrema ego.

Back to the Liga MX Clásico. It was in minute six when Julián Quiñones was allowed to get in behind on the left flank. He opened his body to shoot with his right foot, low and towards for the far post, but Raúl Rangel reacted superbly, diving to save the Rebaño Sagrado.

The most dangerous chance for Guadalajara came from a mistake by América. Kevin Álvarez committed the error when he played backwards, with Javier Hernández latching onto to the ball inside the box, 1 vs 1 with the goalkeeper. Fortunately for América, the former Manchester United striker met the ball close to the byline and shot from close range. Luis Ángel Malagón made a save to save Las Águilas on 24 minutes.

Two minutes later, it was Antonio Briseño who made a mistake. The ball was given away to Álvaro Fidalgo, and Spaniard turned inside and played towards Diego Valdés, who received the ball at the halfway line, took a touch and decided to shoot. Half an hour into the Game, Valdés tried again from outside the area, with Raúl Rangel called into action.

The next chance came moments later, with playmaker Álvaro Fidalgo taking the ball on the left flank. He drove inside, skipping past a couple of defenders before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that crashed off the crossbar.

In the second half, Chivas managed to shake off some of the early nerves from the Clásico Nacional. In the 46th minute, Isaac Brizuela reached the byline on the right flank and sent in a diagonal cross to Javier Hernández, who appeared in exactly the right place. However, the bounce of the ball was awkward and he shot over the crossbar.

The teams started to generate chances as the Game wore on. On the hour mark, Isaac Brizuela played into space for Cade Cowell. He saw Javier Hernández through the middle, but chose to unleash a powerful right-footed shot, which hit the side netting. Las Águilas came close when Alejandro Zendejas unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the area, which Raúl Rangel pushed away.

The score after the three Clásicos in 10 days ia one win per side and a goalless draw. América will have a better taste in their mouths, however, as they are still alive in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. In Liga MX, Las Águilas are in second place with 25 points, the same as Monterrey, but with a lower goal difference. Chivas should be concerned as they is now 11th with 16 points, with work to be done.

Chivas

• 27 José Rangel
• 2 Alan Mozo
• 43 Leonardo Sepúlveda
• 3 Gilberto Sepúlveda
• 4 Briseño
• 25 Roberto Alvarado
• 28 Fernando Gonzalez
• 20 Fernando Beltrán
• 11 Isaac Brizuela
• 16 Cade Cowell (68')
• 14 Chicharito (69')
• Substitutes
• 9 José Macías
• 30 Whalley
• 17 Jesús Sánchez
• 29 Alan Eduardo Torres
• 19 Ricardo Marin (68')
• 50 Mateo Chávez
• 21 José Castillo
• 15 Erick Gutiérrez (69')
• 32 Jesús Brígido
• 33 Raúl Martínez

América

• 1 Luis Malagón
• 4 Sebastián Cáceres
• 5 Kevin Álvarez
• 31 Igor Lichnovsky
• 18 Cristian Calderón (71')
• 6 Jonathan
• 17 Alejandro Zendejas (71')
• 10 Diego Valdés (44')
• 8 Álvaro Fidalgo Fernández
• 33 Julián Quiñones
• 21 Henry Martin (88')
• Substitutes
• 29 Roman Juarez del Castillo
• 16 Snatiago Naveda Lara
• 26 Salvador Reyes (71')
• 19 Illian Hernandez
• 27 Óscar Jiménez
• 24 Javairo Dilrosun (71')
• 2 Luis Fuentes (88')
• 20 Richard Sánchez (44')
• 23 Emilio Lara
• 14 Néstor Araújo

Substitutions

Richard Sánchez (44', Diego Valdés), Ricardo Marín (68', Cade Cowell), Érick Gutiérrez (69', Chicharito), Salvador Reyes (71', Cristian Calderón), Javairô Dilrosun (71', Álex Zendejas), Luis Fuentes (88', Henry Martín)

Cards

Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez
VAR Referee: Erick Yair Miranda Galindo, Francia Maria Gonzalez Martinez
Fernando Gonzalez (11',Yellow) Gilberto Sepúlveda (58',Yellow) Ricardo Marin (74',Yellow) Igor Lichnovsky (74',Yellow) Jonathan (85',Yellow) Isaac Brizuela (87',Yellow)

Table

Table	Pts.	P	W	D	L
9 LEO	17	12	5	2	5
10 PUM	16	11	4	4	3
11 GDL	16	12	4	4	4
12 SLA	14	12	4	2	6
13 ATL	10	11	2	4	5

Table	Pts.	P	W	D	L
1 MTY	25	11	7	4	0
2 AME	25	12	7	4	1
3 CZA	22	12	7	1	4
4 PAC	22	11	7	1	3
5 TIG	21	12	6	3	3