Arias Learns First-Hand Of Painful Clasico Defeats

Chivas manager Raul Arias learned how tough it can be to be on the losing side of the Superclasico as he lost in his first-ever derby match against America.

Oct 26, 2009 9:06:50 AM

More On :  Guadalajara
Raul Arias- San Luis (Mexsport)
Raul Arias managed one of the biggest games for Chivas during the season: El Clasico. Unfortunately for Arias it was his turn to lose the game and the possibility of placing Chivas in the second spot of group one in hopes of qualifying for the fast approaching Liguilla. With a goal from Aquivaldo Mosquera in the early moments of the game Chivas lost at the Azteca Stadium, but despite the loss Arias found the commitment from the players as something worth pointing out.  
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Arias has long been identified for his defensive tactics. The usual formations haven’t worked out too well for Chivas, and Arias denies the team playing a defensive style.  

“Defensive? Today I played with three strikers, I couldn’t throw on four. Did you count them? There was Omar Bravo, Omar Arellano, and ‘Chicharo’ Hernandez. After the goal the game opened up and it could’ve gone to anyone. We couldn‘t use ‘Venado‘ Medina because he was injured,” answered Arias in a press conference after the game.  

However, the manager noted that the team was committed and that he saw improvement in the second half of the match.  

“I liked the commitment of the team, I liked their determination and the way that the game was played. I don’t think that we gave away the first half, I think that we evened out the game because we improved in the second half.”  


Chivas went down on the scoreboard in the third minute after a free kick taken by Pavel Pardo was headed in by Aquivaldo Mosquera.  

“It was a difficult result and even more in a Clasico. It’s going to hurt more. Especially since it came from a set piece that came from something that wasn’t a foul, and that’s how the story unfolded. It’s something that in this type of games can occur, and that took away the possibility of starting the game off well.”  

Expectations are always high during a game between the two teams, and Arias recognized the disappointment of leaving Chivas fans without something to celebrate.  

“It’s been very exciting participating with a team with this experience. From leaving Guadalajara to the moment when we left the stadium, it was good to experience the expectations of the fans. It’s embarrassing that we couldn’t give them something to celebrate.”  

Defender Aaron Galindo wasn’t able to take part of the game because he was serving a suspension from a previous red card. Arias said that his absence was reflected on the score of the game.  

“We’re still far, and we have to improve together. Coincidently, today no one added improvement, and that will be seen until the end. We haven’t found a base(of players), I think that the absence of Aaron Galindo reflected a little in the result.”

Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

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