LIGA MX
What did Cristian Calderón say after Chivas’ Apertura 2023 win over Atlas?
Calderón, who has been told his Chivas Guadalajara career is over, took to social media after the 4-1 derby victory over Atlas.
Chivas Guadalajara ended a six-game winless run in the Liga MX by beating city rivals Atlas 4-1 at the weekend - a victory that came after a week of off-the-field issues at the club.
Most notably, Chivas thrashed Atlas in the absence of two prominent squad members, Alexis Vega and Cristian ‘Chicote’ Calderón, who have been told they will never play for the 12-time Mexican champions again because of disciplinary breaches.
Calderón speaks of Chivas love in Instagram message
After Guadalajara’s ‘Clásico Tapatío’ triumph, Calderón - whose contract is expected to be terminated in the coming days - took to social media with a message for his team-mates.
“All my respect, admiration and gratitude for these 21 bastards who gave it everything they had in this game,” the defender wrote in an Instagram Stories post.
“Buzzing to see that joy, buzzing to see the Rebaño Sagrado [’Sacred Flock’] rule Guadalajara. The lads have all my support and I want only the best for them - my congratulations to you all. I love Los Rojiblancos.”
A number of Chivas players used their Instagram accounts to endorse Calderón’s words, including Víctor ‘Pocho’ Guzmán, Eduardo Torres, Isaac ‘Cone’ Brizuela, Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado and Jesús ‘Chapo’ Sánchez.
Calderón, Vegas on way out after Chivas hotel incident
Club president Amaury Vergara has informed Calderón and Vega that their Chivas careers are over after they broke squad rules on the team’s away trip to Toluca at the start of October.
According to ESPN, the pair were caught sneaking women into the team hotel after Chivas’ 1-1 draw with Los Diablos Rojos. Vergara has opted against leniency as this isn’t the players’ first disciplinary problem at the club.
Defender Raúl Martínez was also involved in the incident, but as this is the 20-year-old’s first offence, it is thought that Chivas may give him a second chance.
Chivas climb up table as Paunovic stays put
Saturday’s win over Atlas lifted Chivas up the Apertura 2023 standings to sixth - the final spot that brings automatic qualification for the playoffs.
In further good news for the Guadalajarans, it was confirmed that head coach Veljko Paunovic will be staying at the club.
The Serb had been expected to leave to take the reins at Almería - prompting Chivas to launch a frantic search for a replacement in recent days - but the Spanish strugglers have now appointed Gaizka Garitano as their new boss.