Chivas suffered a disappointing defeat in their season opener against Necaxa, recording a heavy loss that highlights their struggles.
As the second day of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 got underway, the encounter between Necaxa and Chivas promised to be a gripping clash. Although it didn’t seem like a clash of the titans, Necaxa’s performance, under coach Larcamón, was impressive against Guadalajara.
Historically, Chivas has been one of the giants of Liga MX, once feared as a fearsome “campeonísimo” team made up entirely of Mexican players. However, Chivas’ current performances do not reflect this heritage, as they seem to attract players without inspiring fear.
Christian Martinoli, a leading voice in sports commentary and one of the most respected narrators of recent years, expressed his opinion on the difficulties faced by Chivas. He criticized the tactical approach of their new coach, Spanish strategist Óscar García Junyent, suggesting it was insufficient in the face of the challenge posed by Necaxa.
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-Martinoli said: “Chivas’ tactical setup does not benefit the players at all”, citing Fernando Beltrán and Roberto Alvarado as examples of players struggling to find form under García, especially following the arrival of two considerable reinforcements.
However, amid the criticism, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Chivas. Last season’s star, Javier Hernández, celebrated his 100th match in the red and white jersey at the same meeting, marking another milestone in his illustrious career as one of Mexico’s best footballers.
In a segment on the well-known show “Protagonistas”, which was formerly led by José Ramón Fernández, Martinoli elaborated on Chivas’ shortcomings and potential avenues for improvement as they aspire to a playoff spot during this tournament.
“Beltrán seems to have become a victim of the system, because we know that it does not work on the sides,” commented Martinoli, emphasizing the need for tactical adjustments.
Regarding Martinoli’s origin, he is Mexican, despite some public confusion regarding his origins due to his father’s Argentine nationality and his birth in Mar del Plata, Argentina. However, he proudly identifies with Mexico and embraces its cultural influences.
