“El fútbol es del que quiere al club. Ese es el corazón de esta actividad. El fútbol es de la gente.” – Marcelo Bielsa
The Derby has arrived and with it, MADNESS!!!
If you look closely at the comings and goings of Derby week you’ll notice just underneath the surface an almost palpable feeling of excitement mixed with anxiety through and through.
There is a different bounce to the step. A certain glint in the eye. One of defiance. One of certitude. Perhaps of longing. Perhaps, in some cases one of fear.
One might ask, what do you mean fear? What is there to be afraid of? If you know fútbol you know that a Derby is much more than a game. Where some see just a normal back and forth on the pitch, the true aficionado sees a confrontation between clans. A call to arms to take up the standard and defend the colors.
For Chivas and Atlas, the century-old rivalry, once a clash between social classes, ricos y pobres, los de arriba y los de abajo, is now, more than a struggle of ideologies, a blood feud for the right to call themselves Kings. For some, it has become a watered-down version of a romantic past. For others it is still a street fight, with street rules.
No holds barred. No mercy.
Derby week is madness and love is blindness.
No matter the circumstances surrounding the teams previous to Derby Day, it all boils down to two things: Determination and Love. The former will not allow their focus to vary. There is only one acceptable outcome and that is Victory. The latter will do when the strength wains and the cards are down, where there is adversity love will find the path to do the impossible.
Ask Rayados. They got their dose of “love” last Wednesday night. The Red and White lines never stopped pushing.
Ask any Atlista. They will tell you first hand that after three years of losing to Chivas you can inject money and players into a team but love por los colores siempre mata carita.
The stage is set. It remains to be seen how high the actors entrusted in keeping our honor and pride intact have set their standards.
Still, the true question is, will they be able to meet ours?
