Benjamin Galindo played 9 years, 296 games and scored 78 goals for Club Deportivo Guadalajara. As a player he outshone many and was an example on and off the field. A true hero not only for the Chiva brothers and sisters but for the whole nation as one of the most emblematic midfielders who have ever graced the pitch. He was a gifted passer and his shooting abilities made defenders tremble. Un Crack. ‘El Maestro’.
To watch him play was truly majestic. He never seemed to hurry, a measured pace, head up, graceful. Deadly with both legs. But when I think of Benjamin Galindo I always envision him standing calmly on the sidelines, dressed impeccably, suit and tie, Chivas pin on his lapel. Unmovable, discerning, the strategist who took Chivas all the way to the Semifinals of the 2005 Libertadores Cup.
In the first phase Chivas qualified in first place with 11 points, 3 wins, 2 ties and 1 loss. Final 16 we beat Pachuca 4-2 global. Quarter finals: Boca Juniors. Everyone. Propios y extraños took us for the victims. Everyone but the 40 or so thousand ChivaHermanos who went to the home game. Someone should have told us we were the weaker team.
Anyone who watched the development of the team after Hans Westerhoff was relieved as head coach, could see that Galindo had brought order to the starting eleven. There was a vibrancy to their game style.
Galindo formed a solid back four with 'Rafa' Medina, Hector Reynoso, Maza Rodriguez and Johnnie Garcia and ‘San’ Oswaldo Sanchez under the three posts (as an aside this was the only exception Jose de Jesus Corona was covering the position while Osvaldo was sequestered with the Mexican National Team), Ramon Morales, Manuel Sol, Juan Pablo Alfaro and ‘El Bofo’ Bautista had brought a manic rhythm to the Rebaño’s midfield, and this coupled with ‘Paco’ Palencia and Omar Bravo’s efficient ball handling and goal scoring up front made for a lethal starting eleven. Palencia and Bravo scored eleven goals total in the Libertadores.
Chivas that year were unstoppable and beautiful to watch. And that game, Chivas vs Boca… ¡¡¡Fue un poema!!! Fittingly, game one was held at el Estadio Jalisco, witness to so many red and white triumphs. That humid summer evening would not be the exception.
El Guadalajara came out swinging, sparring equally with Boca. Chivas gave them no space and except for a shot by ‘Chelo’ Delgado they did something close to nothing during the first half. Chivas pounded Abbondanzieri but his lightning reactions saved the argentine team time and time again. In the second minute of aggregate time Johnnie Garcia flew in with a smashing header to the right of the Boca’s cancerbero leaving him with little chance of stopping it.
The second half is now part of Chivas’ history. Galindo came out without changes and el Rebaño Sagrado took advantage of the Bonairenses. It took Chivas 10 minutes to complete destroy Boca. Minute 55 Bravo picks up a wide ball on the right side of the inner area to slam it past Abbondanzieri’s left. Then two beautiful goals! Minute 60 Juan Pablo Alfaro shoots from outside the semi circle and sends a beautiful curving ball towards the bottom left post. Nothing to be done. Five minutes later 'Bofo' recoups a high bouncing ball and lets fly an incredible shot which found its nest in the top right corner of Abbondanzieri’s left post. Beautiful.
The stadium was a volcano of screams, chants and flying beer for the remaining thirty minutes. I recall looking down at the sidelines. ‘El Chino’ Benitez, Boca’s coach, was fuming. If someone had touched him he would have exploded.
‘El Maestro’ was the image of stoicism. A rock of tranquility. Later on after the beer had run through my system I got home, turned on the sports channel and watched the game summary. One image stayed etched on my mind as I watched. Galindo was making some sort of observation pointing towards the pitch. Calm, collected, but as I looked at his eyes I saw extreme happiness. Burning with an inner fire.
He was majestic. ‘El Maestro’. That is how I imagine him now as we have heard he has fallen ill. He will be fine, he is a warrior. There is fire within him. ¡¡¡Venga ‘Profe’!!!
