Downtown Guadalajara turns red and white ahead of Atlas showdown

In Guadalajara at least, this derby stirs even more passion than the national one. The Pearl of the West splits in two whenever Chivas and Atlas face off. It is the oldest rivalry in Mexican soccer, and the tension can be felt days in advance. On Friday night, one day before the game for local pride, hundreds of red-and-white supporters took over the historic center of the city.

Before the Clásico Tapatío kicks off, supporters of the Sacred Flock poured into the streets to back their team. This time it wasn’t with a serenade outside the players’ team hotel, but in the heart of downtown. It is becoming something of a tradition that before facing the Zorros, the jumping and singing takes place beside the iconic cathedral of the Pearl of the West.

The gathering was set for 7:00 p.m. ET. Shortly after, the group’s musicians began arriving to take their places. The music started and the Chivas supporters’ group ran through the full repertoire they normally use during the team’s games at Estadio Akron. Song after song echoed for nearly an hour and a half without pause, with certain fans jumping continuously – especially when the chant rang out: “Whoever doesn’t jump is a Zorro.”

Banners supporting Guadalajara were also on display. Others were meant to troll the bitter rival, including one repeating an iconic phrase from center back Demetrio Madero in the 1980s: “Not even around the corner with those guys.” A flag also waved with the image of Matías Aleyma alongside the five medals from the different titles he won with the Sacred Flock.

The celebration stretched on as the crowd kept singing and jumping without interruption. Downtown filled with the color of Chivas supporters. The Clásico Tapatío is lived with intensity. While the clash with América may be the rivalry between giants, the derby of the Pearl of the West once again showed on Friday night that its passion has never faded – and likely never will.

At least for this night, Guadalajara belongs to Chivas. Tomorrow, the story will be written on the field.

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