Oh Chivas, where art thou?

By: Edgardo | March 27th, 2008

2005 and 2006 were (mostly) good times for Chivas in the Libertadores. Who can forget the 4-0 murdering of Boca Juniors at el Jalisco? The god like goalkeeping of Jesús Corona? Or what about the secong leg, where Chuy Corona was a god again, where the Boca fans started throwing all kinds of unmentionables on the field (and the ref told Corona to stay in the goal), and the Boca fan with a Roman Riquelme jersey that hit a Chivas player?

I know two people : Jorge Benitez and Adolfo Bautista

cholo benites spits on bofo

Unfortunately for the next tie, teh semi-final against Atlético Paranaense, Ricardo Lavolpe took half of the starters to the Confederations Cup, and Chivas lost 5-2 on aggregate. It was an unpopular move because of what Chivas had at stake and because Ricky Chevolpe didn’t use all the Chivas players he capped.

2006 was a repeat trip to the semi-finals, where they faced São Paulo. Interestingly enough , they beat São Paulo twice in teh group stage, but lost 4-0 on aggregate.

chivas didn’t participate in 2007 because they played the Concacaf Champions CUp, so 2008 is their return to Libertadores. One would like a triumphant return, but so far it’s anything but that - 3 points out of 9 and last place in the group.

the group is a close one, but Chivas are in a must win situation tonight because a loss to Cúcuta tonight will complicate getting past the group stage.

It’s frustrating to see them in last place, because they made to consecutive semi-finals, lost an uninspired game at home to Cúcuta, and did i mention that they’re unbeaten in league play (although being in first place and unbeaten in the league is somewhat surprising being of the lack of reinforcements Vergara brought in, instead depending on the youth ,which looked like a cheapskate move from a man who tries to make himself look like a multi-billionaire.)

So what is going wrong in Guadalajara? Why can’t they get it done in Libertadores? Temporary slump? Fatigue? Inexperience by both the players and coach? Are they up for the upcoming challenge to qualify?

Of course they are, por que los de Jalisco no se rajan.