It was a spectacular game.
The 151st edition of the Mexican Derby, Chivas vs. America, was full of energy, intense emotion and good plays on the pitch because of the presence of recently-hired Mexican national coach Javier Aguirre at the Jalisco Stadium.
Week 14 had few goals, only 17. This reflects the fact that there are just three games left in the regular season of Clausura 2009 and that tickets for the Finals and Relegation to Primera A (Second Division) will be fought with a "knife between the teeth."
Chivas arrived at the 'main game' with a new coach: Francisco Ramírez, former assistant manager for the Mexican national team, who worked beside Ricardo Antonio La Volpe and Sven-Göran Eriksson. His debut replacing Omar Arellano Nuño was a dream come true for the most important rivalry in Aztec soccer history: against America.
Omar Arellano Jr. grew upset with Guadalajara's team president and owner, Jorge Vergara, who decided only three days before the beginning of 'Super Clásico' that his father was going to be ousted from the Mexican football institution. However, Arellano Riverón played an excellent game and proved himself as an important star for the 'Rebaño Sagrado'.
America could not count on their best player, Salvador Cabañas. The Paraguayan failed to overcome a leg injury while his partners, his manager and all the fans knew that the game was going to be complicated without the international striker.
The most experienced player for Chivas, Ramón Morales, and the most veteran for America, Pavel Pardo, who have played in 23 and 15 derbies respectively, were the sharpest players for each team. 'Ramoncito' was the one who hit all the free and corner kicks, while the former Stuttgart captain Pardo joined with Enrique Vera trying to give dangerous passes to America's forwards Enrique Esqueda and Robert de Pinho.
In the second half, 'Paco' Ramírez made an important move on the pitch. Marco Fabián changed Chivas' offensive outlook when, in the 68th minute, he gave a pass to Alberto Medina. He cast off Oscar Rojas and gave the ball to Sergio Amaury Ponce, who headed the only goal of the game, giving America 'keeper Guillermo Ochoa no chance for a save.
The celebration was complete. Jorge Vergara and company were jumping in the presidential box watching Chivas' main rival suffer.
'Chucho' Ramírez tried to tie the game and sent Colombian Andrés Chitiva and Daniel Márquez into the thick of things, but Guadalajara's goalkeeper Luis Michel denied them any chance.
In other matches, Toluca prepared for Liguilla after emerging with a 1-0 triumph over Chiapas in the Nemesio Díez Stadium. As the match was concluding, Edgar Dueñas headed the ball and struck goalie Edgar Hernández.
Once again, the league-leading Diablos Rojos will surely be one of the most difficult rivals at the Finals. On the other side of the coin, Jaguares is coming off down performance from some important players and Miguel Angel Brindisi will have to make changes to recover the level Liguilla expects.
Puebla made a strong appearance against Cruz Azul and won 2-1 at Estadio Azul, with a great performance by Daniel Osorno, the former Colorado Rapid, who gave a couple of assists to help his team practically forget their relegation problem.
Alejandro Acosta (44') and Ramón Núñez (52') for Puebla and Pablo Zeballos (74') for Cruz Azul were the scorers in a tough match. Also, Gerardo Torrado, Cruz Azul's captain saw a red card (55') and will not play the next game against Pachuca.
By the way, Pachuca lost 2-0 in Morelia and gave an excellent opportunity to Monarcas to live again, thinking about a place in the Liguilla.
Tuzos are no longer the Mexican championship's leader, thanks to goals from Miguel Sabah (19') and Hugo Droguett (67') at Morelos Stadium. Now that honor goes to Toluca, again.
Santos Laguna was the only team that really crushed its opponent. Atlas was on the wrong end of a 4-1 score in Corona Stadium in difficult humid weather.
Walter Jiménez (14'), Christian Benítez (21' and 93') and Ismael Fuentes' own goal (66') were scores for Santos Laguna while scored Gonzalo Vargas (43') found the net for Atlas in the match.
In other games, Indios and Pumas tied 0-0 in a slow game, while Necaxa won in the final moments against Tigres, Monterrey beat San Luis 1-0 and Atlante fell 2-1 to Tecos.
