As part of the preview of the Clásico de México corresponding to Day 7 of the Apertura 2024 between Chivas and América, 3 Guadalajara players spoke at a press conference and were very blunt about what this Saturday's match will be like.
Alan Mozo, Raúl Rangel and Roberto Alvarado all agreed on how hard the Rebaño has been working throughout the tournament, which is why they consider themselves ready to give their best performance against the Azulcremas at the Ciudad de los Deportes. And of course, taking advantage to mention their recent contract renewal with Guadalajara, Mozo and 'Piojo' shared their happiness at remaining with the Rojiblanco for several more years.
This was all they had to say at the press conference:
Raúl Rangel, Chivas goalkeeper.
"The team is ready to give the fans that joy against América".
"Based on the 2006 champion generation, who left everything on the field. That should be the essence of Chivas, to put all our heart into every game".
"It is a great challenge and a dream that is taking shape. I wanted to play professionally, I am proud of my roots and to represent my country in a World Cup on our land, it is an achievable dream."
"It's the work I've been doing since I was in the Youth Division and the resilience that we goalkeepers have. I had to play, injured, but that helped me to work mentally and to be up to the task".
"Javier Aguirre was open and was very direct in telling me that I was going to play. He gave me the confidence I needed. With the experience I had had, I learned to do what I know how to do."
"I feel flattered because Oswaldo is a reference in Mexican soccer. Being compared to him makes me think I'm on the right track. I have my own history, I work 100%".
"Yes, there is a rivalry that has been forged from the grassroots level. It makes me proud to win the Clásico, it's latent".
Alan Mozo, Guadalajara defender
"I am very happy to be at the club for a longer period of time, I identify very much with the institution and I will give my all to achieve the championship we want".
"These games are won, personally I play with all my attitude. We will go out to win and give the people joy".
"These games are so complicated that you can be last and beat the first place, this team will go out to win, it is very important for us. It's no use saying it here if we don't back it up, so we'll go out to win it."
"I grew up with an ideology that motivates me a lot. I am very happy to represent Chivas with pure Mexicans, I hope to contribute wherever I can. I'm very happy to represent this team in another Clasico, I won't hold anything back."
"Even if it was in Verde Valle, these matches are lived with a different intensity. For us, they are 100 minutes of a battle that we will go out to win."
"We have improved details that we were missing. Last tournament and at the beginning of this one we lacked finishing plays, I think we achieved that last game and we also kept a clean sheet at the back. We want to build on that to become the team we want to be".
"I would tell the ChivaHermanos to trust us, we have a game plan to win the match. That they enjoy themselves and that they are going to feel identified with their team."
"It's a great moment, not only for the opponent but for ourselves. We are a great team and they have a lot of quality. We have to take that step to reaffirm what we want and this Saturday is a great opportunity."
"Chivas is immense, for me they are the most important team. We have to take firm steps, I have had the opportunity to go to stadiums where we are local. It is our responsibility to be champions, we know the club we represent."
"I expect it to be a very intense match. They are a very vertical team and it works for them; whoever relaxes, loses. We have to be careful in the details, strike first and come out winners."
Roberto Alvarado, Rebaño attacker
"I feel very happy and grateful to the club and the board for the opportunity to renew. I feel motivated to do things much better, with the commitment to do greater things. There is a great group and we have a very important game on the weekend."
"Saturday is a very important game, the Clásicos are always played to win. We have been doing things well, we want to get 3 points in CDMX that we need to put us in the top places."
"I am very happy at Chivas. I am focused on the club, I want to continue adding to the team because it is a very big showcase to fulfill my dreams."
"The commitment will always be to win the championship, to score goals, to help the team. I will always try to do my best for the fans, for my family, who have supported me during my stay here. I will demand the maximum to bring the 13 for the ChivaHermanos."
"For me it is very important to enjoy myself, since I arrived here I have been able to do so. It is a very healthy dressing room, very united, here I have felt happy with the group that exists. My daughter was born here and that partly influences me to stay here. The fans are the best of all".
"I am happy because the fans have supported me a lot. I try to set a good example on and off the field. We want to bring the 3 points to climb up the standings."
"I don't think there is a favorite. It's a Clasico, we're playing for our lives and for either of us it will be a very interesting match. We want to do things well to keep on winning".
