Chivas Begin Post-Arias Era Against Indios

Chivas went through a major change on Tuesday morning as manager Raul Arias was fired from his managerial position. Under Arias Chivas had only won three games and look to be in danger of not qualifying for the Liguilla once again. The surprise came in the sense that the manager was dismissed, and replaced by Jose Luis Real. with only three games left on the regular Apertura 2009 calendar and a day before the Jornada 15 game against Indios.  

Indios have had a similar unfortunate fate during the tournament. The team has not won any games and has only four points. Indios is also last in group one, the same group that Chivas is in. The difference between the teams is that Chivas has a possibility of qualifying to the Liguilla if it gathers more points, while Indios are out of it.  

Chivas will have to deal with the absence of Xavier Baez who dislocated his elbow in a bad landing in the game against Morelia. However, suspended Javier Hernandez will be back for the game. The striker received two yellow cards but Chivas submitted evidence of the mistake made by the referee to get the decision overturned. Indios will be without Juan Ramon Curbelo because of suspension.  

The new manager, Jose Luis Real, is confident that under his command the team will play the traditional style of Chivas football.  

“I can speak for 90 percent of the team, and I think that’s my main advantage. The board and our president Jorge Vergara have taken the decision to give me this responsibility. I take with pleasure and under the conditions that are expected to do my part so that the team functions to play better and win,” said the new manager in the press conference announcing his position.  

“I think that our football will be based on the premise that Chivas has always had; bring the show, make the maximum effort, and not try to perform at 30, 50, or 70 percent but to play at one hundred percent and to play every game united and with the same effort. Without a doubt the quality that every player at the club has can be much greater.”

“We have to make the team play well. That is the main objective that Mr. Lebrija has told me as the president of the club. I personally know of the philosophy of the club and the philosophy that Jorge Vergara has. It’s to play football like Chivas has previously shown and hasn’t been able to play for a few tournaments. Unfortunately in this tournament and circumstances it hasn’t been shown.”

Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.