LIGA MX
Chivas coach Veljko Paunovic discusses possible returns for Alexis Vega and Cristian Calderón
Vega and Calderón were two of three Guadalajara players suspended for indiscipline following a Liga MX Apertura 2023 game at Toluca.
Things are starting to look a bit brighter again for Guadalajara are head coach Veljko Paunovic. After a wretched run of form in which they picked up only two points from six Liga MX matches, the pressure was on the Serb, who at one point looked set to leave the club and join LaLiga side Almería in Spain. But Friday’s win at Puebla followed a convincing victory over Atlas and has propelled Chivas up into fourth spot in the Apertura 2023 standings, albeit having played more matches than the teams around them.
Alexis Vega and Cristian Calderón back in training after suspensions
Paunovic has also had recent selection issues to contend with, although things also appear to be improving somewhat off the field. Mexico internationals Alexis Vega and Cristian Calderón, along with youth-team player Raúl Martínez, were suspended by the club after reportedly sneaking women into the team hotel after Guadalajara’s 1-1 Liga MX draw away to Toluca on 2 October.
The club were unable to reach an agreement to terminate the players contracts without paying them in full, and both Vega and and Calderón returned to first-team training last week as a result, fuelling speculation they could yet have futures with Chivas. Neither featured in the win over Puebla, although Paunovic, speaking in his post-match press conference, left the door open to them playing under him in the future, provided certain conditions are met.
Chivas duo “have to earn” first-team returns
“We’re not going to change the work culture I’ve been building with my team and the sporting directors. We’re never going to compromise on that. When I spoke to the three players who came back after being suspended, the first thing I asked them was if they want to come back. They said yes, that they were eager to return, but it must be under our terms. Of course, they have to cooperate with us and they have to earn it. We’ve made that clear, and now we it’s up to them to meet out expectations.”
Guadalajara next take on Tigres in a repeat of the Clausura 2023 final on Saturday 28 October. Could we see Vega and Calderon return to the matchday squad?