'Chivas should always be competing' - El Rebaño legend Ramón Morales concerned about the team’s current state

Chivas icon Ramón Morales has voiced his worries regarding the performance and direction of Guadalajara - a team he once captained and helped lead to glory.

Morales, known for his leadership and deep connection with the club, hopes to see El Rebaño - currently managed by Gerardo Espinoza, though it's unlikely he'll remain in charge next season - return to the top tier of Mexican football.

“Because of its history and everything it represents, Chivas should always be competing, fighting for the top spots,” Morales told TUDN. “Being in the Liguilla. The fact that the team is now fighting just to get into a Play-In - that’s not what the fans want. It leaves them sad, angry, or disappointed.”

Chivas sit just outside the top 10 with one match left to play in the Clausura 2025 regular season - a high-stakes showdown against Atlas, a team that has beaten them in their last two encounters. The outcome will decide whether Chivas sneaks into the postseason or faces another year of questions and frustration.

Matchday 17 of the Clausura 2025 still carries major implications. While Toluca has already secured the top seed, several clubs are aiming to either solidify their place in the Final Phase or improve their seeding.

Nine of the 10 postseason spots have been secured. The final one will be decided this weekend between Chivas and Pumas.

Chivas will face Atlas at Estadio Jalisco, but their fate isn’t in their control - they’ll need Pumas to drop points when they visit Tigres.

Both matches will be played simultaneously on Saturday, with the final playoff spot hanging in the balance.

The longest-standing rivalry in Mexican football features two proud institutions from Jalisco: Chivas and Atlas.

The Clásico Tapatío, which began in 1916, has built over a century of rich history. In the overall head-to-head, Club Deportivo Guadalajara has set the pace in this fierce rivalry.

Across 293 official matches, Chivas has recorded 110 victories, while Atlas has won 95 times, with 88 draws between them.

In 172 league matches, Chivas holds the advantage with 63 wins, compared to 52 for Atlas, and 57 draws. During the regular season alone, Guadalajara has won 60 times, and in the Liguilla (playoffs), they’ve celebrated three wins in 12 encounters.

The only previous Play-In clash between these two rivals was won by Atlas, giving Los Zorros a rare edge in that particular stage.

Gerardo Espinoza’s squad will fight for their play-in ticket this Saturday when they visit Atlas at Estadio Jalisco. The last two editions of the Clásico Tapatío have both ended in victories for the Rojinegros.