Atlas vs Chivas: Liga MX players to watch

Atlas and Chivas will meet on Saturday evening for the next edition of the Clásico Tapatío. The fixture at the Jalisco Stadium will decide who takes home bragging rights in the city of Guadalajara and both teams come into the fixture off the back of a mixed spell of form before the international break.

Chivas are ahead in the table, currently sitting in seventh in the Clausura rankings, but lost their last two games before the international break.

Atlas are down in 11th as it stands with just one win in their last five matches, but that win came in their most recent fixture. Los Rojinegros, who have home advantage for this weekend’s derby, beat Puebla 4-0 in their last outing.

Tense encounters like the Clásico Tapatío are often decided by fine margins and a single mistake has the potential to be the difference between glory and agony. However such closely-fought matches can also be defined by a moment of magic that wins it, whether that be a brilliant goal or a spectacular save.

With that in mind, we take a look at some of the stars on show in this weekend’s fixture...

Julian Quinones

The Colombian forward is one of the most dangerous players in the league and was selected in the Liga MX: All-Star Team for 2022. He is enjoying some of his best form for the Zorros since he arrived in Mexico and his attacking talents could define the Clásico this Saturday.

Alexis Vega

Chivas’ 10 is undoubtedly one to watch for the Clásico and has fond memories of playing against Atlas. Back in 2019 he scored the first hat trick of his professional career against Saturday’s opponents and will be relishing the opportunity to add to that tally.

Camilo Vargas

The experiences goalkeeper has been with Atlas since a 2019 switch from Deportivo Cali in 2019 and he has been a near-present ever since. Vargas is rated as one of the best goalkeepers in Liga MX and certainly posseses the game-winning ability that managers dream of in a goalkeeper.

Fernando Beltran

With the absence of Víctor Guzmán due to suspension, ‘Nene’ will be asked to shoulder much of the creative burden for his side in midfield. He has had a solid season so far but a standout performance in this weekend’s Clásico could be a definitive one for the 24-year-old who first broke through at Chivas.

Aldo Rocha

Combative midfielder Aldo Rocha will patrol the middle of the pitch for Atlas, utilising every drop of his Clásico experience. He is known for his intense, no-nonsense approach and Atlas fans remember fondly his ear-cupping celebration after scoring against Chivas in the past.

Robert Alvarado

The speedy winger made Liga MX history when he made his debut for Celaya aged just 15 years and 21 days. He enjoyed a break-out season in 2016 and has made more than 30 appearances for the Mexican national side but has not quite lived up to his undoubted potential. Whether fielded out wide or given a more central berth, Alvarado has the ability and the speed to tilt the game in Chivas’ favour.

Julius Furch

Argentine striker Julius Furch has had a storied career and at 33 remains one of the most important players in the Atlas side. He was named in the CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Tournament in 2019 and his finishing ability and poacher’s instinct could be enough to snatch Clásico victory for his side.