Clásico Tapatío: The Intense Rivalry between Atlas and Chivas in Mexican Soccer

The History and Intensity of the Clásico Tapatío

The Clásico Tapatío is a local derby between two of the oldest soccer clubs in Guadalajara, Mexico – Atlas and Chivas. The rivalry between these two teams is more than a century old and is considered as one of the most intense and passionate in Mexican soccer. It has been known to divide families, friends, and colleagues, with each side fiercely loyal to their team. Whoever loses this match has to endure banter from their rivals until the next game, adding fuel to the fire of this already intense rivalry.

Former Atlas Defender Mario Méndez’s Thoughts on Playing for a Rival Team

Former Atlas defender, Mario Méndez, knows all about the passion and intensity of this rivalry. Growing up as an Atlas fan, he looked up to his uncle who played for the club. For him, playing for another team never came up because his dream was always to play for Atlas first. However, as a coach now, he believes that it is up to the current players to assess situations like playing for a rival team. He named several Chivas players he found difficult to mark during his playing days, including Alberto Coyote, Ramón Ramírez, and Ricardo Peláez.

Match Analysis of Atlas vs Guadalajara Game

On Matchday 13 of Liga MX playoffs, Atlas will take on Guadalajara in the highly anticipated Clásico Tapatío at Jalisco Stadium on Saturday, April 1 at 11:10 pm ET in front of empty stands due to pandemic restrictions. Both teams are fighting hard for their playoff spots; while Chivas are virtually certain they will enter them (currently ranked fifth), Atlas is aiming to close the gap by defeating their rivals. Winning this game will be crucial for Atlas to advance to the playoffs.

Atlas are in good form, coming off their best performance of the Liga MX season over the weekend against Puebla, but they have only won one match so far. Meanwhile, Guadalajara has been the better side overall this season with a 7-game unbeaten run, four of them victories, before losing their last two consecutive matches in the league to Puebla (0-1) and to América (2-4) in the Clásico Nacional. They need a win at any cost to recover from their slump and move up in the league rankings.

The Upcoming Clásico Tapatío for Matchday 13 of Liga MX

As mentioned earlier, Atlas ended a negative streak in their previous game and is looking to arrive at this game with fresh legs and high energy levels. On the other hand, Chivas has dropped down the table after losing their last two games but is hopeful of bouncing back and entering the top four once again. Despite Chivas being recent title holders behind closed doors last year, Atlas is a +152 favorite. According to bookies, Chivas’ odds stand at +192 Moneyline.

Chivas’ captain and top scorer with 5 goals and 2 assists Víctor Guzmán will be out of action due to a red card he received in their previous match against America. This may give Atlas an advantage, but history favors Chivas as they have won 92 times and scored 376 goals compared to Atlas’ 71 wins and 328 goals.

The Declining Attendance at Clásico Tapatío

Although the Clásico Tapatío remains one of the most anticipated games of the Mexican soccer season, attendance at recent matches has declined dramatically in recent years due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. However, the passion and intensity of this rivalry are still very much alive.

In conclusion, the Clásico Tapatío is not just a game; it is much more than that. It is a clash of two teams who represent more than just soccer clubs in Guadalajara and their fanatical fanbase. This rivalry transcends borders, divides families, and paves the way for Mexican soccer as a whole. Who will come out on top this time remains to be seen, but one certainty is that this match will live long in the memory of all those involved.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons