Goals: N/A
Recap: Ninety minutes of highly contested football saw Club America and Chivas Guadalajara finish scoreless on Saturday.
The clasico of all clasicos lacked the aesthetics of previous contests, but not the physicality. Both teams combined for 32 fouls and eight yellow cards. Clear-cut opportunities, however, were few and far between. All of Guadalajara’s seven attempts landed off target, while only four of America’s 10 challenged goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez.
With the result, America remains atop the Liga MX table with 30 points. Guadalajara draw level with Universidad de Guadalajara (12 points).
Key Moment: It took 60-plus minutes, but America managed to create the match’s only true scoring opportunity. A right-footed shot from Paul Aguilar, one destined for the back of the net, was cleared off the line by the Guadalajara defense.
Man of the Match: Guadalajara’s Carlos Salcido was a defensive stalwart on Saturday. The 34-year-old finished with three interceptions, five clearances and a 100 percent success rate on defensive duels. His goal-line clearance further highlights his merit for the award.
Lesson Learned: For the first time since 2010, there is direction at Chivas Guadalajara. Under the new guidance of Jose Manuel de la Torre, the Goats put together a comprehensive performance on enemy territory. It lacked the aesthetics, but it didn’t lack purpose. A perfectly executed gameplan left the Liga MX leaders frustrated for 90 minutes, unable to find the rhythm of week’s past. And if not for a missed penalty shout, the visitors would’ve escaped Mexico City with the full three points. Chivas won’t challenge for the Apertura title, but there’s finally room for optimism in Guadalajara.
Up Next: Both clubs return to league play on Nov. 9, with America traveling to Toluca and Chivas hosting Tigres UANL.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via Squawka).
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