Guadalajara returned to winning ways in the Apertura 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Necaxa at Estadio AKRON in Matchweek 13. Following the game, Gabriel Milito addressed the media and analyzed the performance of the Rebaño Sagrado, acknowledging that the team struggled to find its best form while emphasizing the importance of earning three points at a crucial stage of the tournament.
The Rojiblanco head coach also discussed Raúl “Tala” Rangel’s performance, the integration of young players from the Cantera Rojiblanca into the First Team, the recovery of currently unavailable players, and the challenge of facing Monterrey away from home in the next match.
Gabriel Milito’s Best Quotes from the Press Conference
The importance of winning
In many matches, we’ve managed to win, and in soccer, there are times when it’s good to win comfortably, and others when it’s also good to win by grinding it out. That’s part of soccer, too.
Today we won, and we didn’t play well, but we won.
Today’s match was crucial for us because we needed to win it. There are no easy games in soccer, but we’re a good team, too.”
Analyzing the match against Necaxa
Today’s match was very difficult, and we have to give our opponents credit and recognize their merit. We had chances to score, and when you’re under pressure to win, the game becomes a race against the clock and enters dangerous territory.
Today’s match was much more scrappy, and after going 1-0 up, we struggled to maintain a more solid structure.
Praise for Tala Rangel
Tala, the player we all know, showed up today—a Chivas player and a player for the national team.
Confidence in the Cantera Rojiblanca
I strongly believe in young players, and whenever it’s time to make a decision in their favor, we do it. It’s always important to keep young players close because, when we need them, we have to be able to count on their help.
The importance of getting players back
“Omar [Govea] and Luis [Romo] are very important, and so are Cotorro and Castillo. We’ve had some significant absences, but now we’re in a better position. The more players we have available, the better, because without them, our options when making substitutions become more limited.
Miguel Gómez also returned to the squad for this match, which Milito described as a source of joy for the team.
The challenge against Monterrey and the remaining AP26 fixtures
There are no easy games in soccer. We’re going to face good teams, but we’re a good team, too. In this case, against Monterrey, we have to deliver our best performance. If we don’t, we’ll have very little chance of getting something out of the game.
His respect for Matías Almeyda
It will be the first time we face each other. For me, it will be an honor to face Matías after everything he’s achieved throughout his coaching career, especially the era he helped shape here at Chivas. He’s an elite coach.
Self-criticism as a coach
If there’s one thing I’ll never do, it’s say something I don’t truly believe.
I acknowledge that I made a mistake in the game against Querétaro, and the only person who never makes mistakes is the one who never does anything.Do I make mistakes? I make a lot of them, but I have some fantastic players who bail me out.”
