In football, the manner always matters. Losing their perfect run in Clausura 2026 was painful, but what Chivas displayed on the pitch confirmed that it is a team with a clear playing identity, tactical variations, emotional stability, and significant individual quality that translates into real squad depth. Guadalajara also held onto first place in the standings with 18 points.
The clash against Cruz Azul demanded a high level from the opening whistle, as it featured the two most solid teams in the tournament. The match required precision, patience, and personality. The first half was intense and tightly contested; in the second half, Gabriel Milito’s ability to adjust made the difference.
Beyond simple substitutions, Gabriel Milito reshuffled pieces, adjusted positioning, and added new tactical nuances after the break. His five changes highlighted both the squad’s depth and the comprehensive work carried out under his leadership.
Immediate Impact Off the Bench
In the 54th minute, Hugo Camberos entered as a left-sided attacking wingback and consistently created imbalance. He won multiple one-on-one duels, attacked decisively, and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions—one of his shots even struck the crossbar.
Alongside him came Brian Gutiérrez, who slotted into midfield in an offensively minded double pivot. He carried the ball to break through Cruz Azul’s pressure lines and played a key role in the equalizer, driving centrally past a defensive line and initiating the sequence that led to the assist for the temporary 1-1.
Ángel Sepúlveda also came on in the 54th minute, replacing José Castillo, though he operated much higher up the field as a second striker next to Armando González. His positioning paid off on the scoreboard. For his goal, he outmuscled the opposing center backs and displayed his scoring instinct with a powerful header, snapping his neck toward the far post to steer the ball away from the goalkeeper and cap off a superb finish.
In the 80th minute, Ricardo Marín replaced Armando González and once again proved decisive in limited time. With his first involvement, he drifted to the left flank with an excellent off-the-ball movement and delivered a precise cross for Sepúlveda to finish. It marked his second assist of the tournament, reinforcing the impact he had already shown earlier in the season.
Finally, in the 89th minute, Santiago Sandoval replaced Richard Ledezma and positioned himself as a right-sided attacker cutting inside. In one of his first actions, he delivered a dangerous cross to the far post that nearly resulted in Chivas’ second goal.
The Loss Hurts, but the Adjustments Inspire Confidence
All five substitutions left their mark. Each entrance added energy, intent, and tactical variation—clear evidence of a strengthened and competitive squad across every line.
Although the perfect run came to an end, Guadalajara left strong footballing impressions, particularly in the second half, competing toe-to-toe with a top-level opponent. Despite dropping points for the first time this tournament, Chivas maintained the overall lead and its conviction remains intact.
Now, the focus shifts to the next challenge: an away visit to Toluca at Estadio Nemesio Diez next Saturday, determined to get back on track and continue building a project that has shown it still has plenty of room to grow.
