Chivas set sights on top four

Chivas’ reaction gives them the chance to dream of more than just the playoffs. Head coach Ricardo Cadena says that his side will fight to achieve that goal in the remainder of the regular season.

“Look, the truth is that the possibilities exist and we’re not going to skimp, of course we’re going to look for as many points as possible. As I always say, we’re going to take it one game at a time, from now on we’re thinking about Tigres and trying to keep the three points at home and also see how the situation changes. We’re now thinking about Tigres, that’s the idea we have in mind,” he explained after the 1-0 win over Puebla.

“First of all, we faced one of the best teams today, a team that has a perfect command of an idea, that is very well managed and I can tell you that it’s very, very difficult. We worked the game based firstly on how we were going to close down spaces and how we were going to find them, trying to have Alexis, Chelo, Cone, Chicote to look for those spaces, those openings and positioning in their half. We did a good job of reading the game, where the wear and tear of the first 45 minutes allowed us to make sure that the idea wasn’t wrong. Afterward, we made some changes to improve our attacking play. Alexis is a very important player for us, as is the rest of the team in attack. Today he came up with a wonderful piece of play that allowed us to get the three points,” he added.

He revealed that he will continue to make changes to his starting line-up. “I can tell you that today everyone we have in the squad who is fit to play has a chance. The theme of rotation will continue, first to ensure that the player is at 100 per cent, if he is not at 100 per cent. Today we are happy for many reasons and one of the biggest reasons is the return of a player who has suffered an injury and had minutes today,” said Cadena.

He gave credit for the spell his players are on. “I feel that the lads have interpreted the ideas that we have offered as a coaching staff quite well, they have known how to respect and take the ideas on. The ideas in the games, the adjustments and modifications, during the week we plan them and on the day of the game the group interprets them in a better way. Little by little they have been finding maturity, the minutes played despite the youth in the squad are giving them confidence. The group in general, the whole squad is committed to the idea and above all to themselves to offer our fans the best of themselves. On my behalf, I would like to thank the group for their day-to-day efforts, for what we want to implement and what they do. They are the really important ones,” he added.

Message for Ferrareis

He also sent a message of support for the Puebla player who suffered a nasty injury in the opening minutes of the match. “First of all I want to send a message to Gustavo Ferrareis. I hope he has a speedy recovery. He has suffered an injury as a result of a sporting accident and before anything else, first and foremost is the health and integrity of the human being, to him and his family that he can soon return to the pitch,” concluded Chivas coach Cadena.