Chivas Guadalajara's preseason kicked off with their first friendly match against Mineros de Zacatecas, ending in a goalless draw on Saturday. This match marked the debut of new head coach Óscar García, who is aiming to revitalize the team following last season's struggles.
During the match held at Estadio Carlos Vega Villalba, García put forward a squad featuring primarily players from their U-20 team. Notable absentees included veteran striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernández and winger Roberto Alvarado, both of whom were missing for personal reasons. Hernández, who has been under scrutiny from fans for his commitment, was reportedly at home watching the final of the Kings League, which his team won.
García's fielding choices included Oscar Whalley as goalkeeper, with the team comprising players like Hugo Camberos, José Castillo, and Armando González. The first half was largely uneventful, with Chivas having trouble breaking the deadlock. A missed opportunity came from Fidel Barajas, who after breaking down the wing, saw his shot clang off the post. Despite their efforts to score, the match remained scoreless.
After halftime, García introduced more seasoned players to assess their form and capacity. This included goalkeeper Raúl Rangel and defender Gilberto Sepúlveda, but the infusion of experience didn’t lead to any clear scoring chances for Chivas. The friendly was viewed as the initial stage of preparation leading up to the important Clásico Tapatío against city rivals Atlas.
Despite the draw, García emphasized the strong foundation he aims to build for the upcoming Clausura 2025 campaign. The team underwent significant adjustments during the offseason, with García expressing his intent to involve more players from the youth setup, which had recently secured the Liga de Expansión championship.
While the squad seeks to improve, they must also overcome the criticisms directed at Hernández. His recent absence from playing due to injuries has frustrated many who once considered him the face of the franchise. With age catching up at 36 and injuries curtailing his performance, Hernández is under pressure to find his best form this season after scoring just once since his return.
The upcoming schedule includes the Clásico Tapatío, set for December 27 at Estadio Jalisco, which provides Chivas fans with hope of seeing Hernández lead the attack once again. The match will be pivotal for both the players and García, who will want to solidify his coaching credentials early with favorable outcomes against fierce local rivals.
Looking forward, Chivas is laser-focused on regaining their competitive edge. Following their disappointing exit from the playoffs last season, the team knows the importance of every match going forward. Fans have high expectations for the club as they prepare for their inaugural match against Santos on January 11.
Overall, the preparation match against Mineros served as just one step on the path to what the fans hope will be a successful campaign. Balancing player health, performance, and cohesion will be key for Óscar García as he leads Chivas through the exciting yet challenging months of the Clausura 2025.
