With Full Roster, Chivas Primed For Morelia

Chivas will face off against Morelia for the Jornada 14 of the Apertura 2009. Morelia are currently in the first place of group two but has to pick up points to keep the lead in the tight group. Chivas are a little more lucky but still have to pick up points to land in second place of group one. For the first time in the tournament Chivas will have a complete squad; no players will be missing because of injury, suspension, or duty with the national team.

Raul Arias thinks that the availability of all the players will be helpful in the quest against Morelia. Aaron Galindo missed the clash against America due to suspension something that Arias claimed had an effect on the game.  

“We’ve advanced especially since we have a complete squad. Players like Jonny (Magallon) or like Omar Arellano who have been called up (to the national team) or we just hadn’t had the opportunity to work with them. Today they’re much better,” said Arias in a press conference. “Others have been missing because of suspension. Aaron Galindo has completed his suspension and he’ll integrate himself into the starters. It helps a lot because the internal competition will be elevated and having everyone will help.”

The fact that the games after the fixture against Morelia will be played at the Jalisco stadium will be an advantage for Chivas, according to Arias.  

“It’s very important because with this game we’ll complete an abnormal calendar. Where we had a stretch of four away games and now these last three, including the game against Morelia, will be against teams that are in the first three positions on the table. So it hasn’t been easy, and it will be complicated. Morelia is a good team, but I think that the team has improved and today all we think about is that we’re going to win.”  

Arias is also aware that Chivas have been placed in an easy group and have a greater opportunity to make it into the Liguilla. The new manager was appointed in the Jornada 9, halfway through the tournament. Up until then Chivas had only won one game.  

“The tournament has been very generous to us because the way the group has worked out. In any other group we’d be out so it’s something that we have to take advantage of. You don’t always have an opportunity like that and the team will close out the tournament at home is important. If the calendar had been different, well maybe other things could have been achieved  but it affects how we’ll arrive to these last fixtures.”

Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

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