LIGA MX
Gago asks for patience with ‘Chicharito’ return
The Argentine head coach gave the veteran Mexican a couple of minutes of playing time as Chivas beat Pumas 3-1 at the Akron Stadium.
Chivas head coach Fernando Gago is anxious that there is no rush back for Javier Hernández as the player is nearing full fitness after suffering an ACL tear in June of 2023.
With his side comfortably ahead against Pumas at home last Saturday, the Argentine deemed that the conditions were perfect for a reintroduction for Chicharito as he played his first football for Chivas after a 14 year absence.
Speaking after the Liga MX 2024 Clausura matchday 8 game, the coach staterd: “It seems that I am repetitive and I always say the same thing: the results are not going to change the way we continue working. Obviously we play to win, that is our intention. Today the game was very good, from the 30th minute of the first half we understood what we had practiced. Spaces began to appear, in the second half even more of what we had planned throughout the week appeared. So, I am very happy with the team’s performance today,” he said.
Immediately, he was questioned about Javier Hernández’s debut. “Javier is a key player for the team, for the institution and even for Mexican soccer to have him on the field.
Today he returned after an ugly situation, where they are very lonely situations, very difficult to sustain, if you are not mentally strong, if you do not work at it and Javier had that mentality. The idea with Javier is to be very progressive, not only in terms of football, but also mentally, because he has to readapt to playing again, after being away for almost eight months,” concluded Gago.
Immediately, the coach ended his post-match conference, after just two questions, he gave the stage at the Akron Stadium press room to Javier Hernández himself, who shared his impressions after the emotional reception given to him by the Guadalajara fans.