Guadalajara delivered a true football masterclass in their return to Estadio AKRON against Santos. The Rebaño showcased their superiority as a squad thanks to a strong collective performance, which allowed them to remain unbeaten at home and secure the win amid the great atmosphere created by the Nación Rojiblanca in attendance.
During the post-match press conference, Gabriel Milito highlighted several aspects of the team’s current form. The Argentine coach spoke about 'Hormiga’s' development, the full confidence he has in every player in his squad, and the mentality of a group that refuses to settle and always strives for more. Below are his words following the match.
Gabriel Milito’s comments in the post-match press conference against Santos
-“Hormiga has improved a lot and has been showing it since last tournament. He has improved his back-to-goal play and gives us continuity in attack. I’m happy with what he brings to the team, and hopefully he can experience a World Cup.”
-“Representing a club as important as Chivas means that every player must commit to playing when we have the ball and being an option for their teammate.”
-“We need everyone’s collaboration in every phase of the game. We all run to neutralize the opponent. That’s one of this team’s values: the forwards must be the first to defend, and the defenders the first to attack.”
-“Professional players are used to playing three matches in a week. In our case, it’s neither an excuse nor a problem. We go match by match; we’ll think about the next game, which is León, later.”
-“Everyone is ready to start the next match. They all have the qualities, and whoever has to start, I fully trust that they’ll do well.”
-“Since the last time we faced Santos, the team has grown. We’ve worked together during this time and the team has evolved.”
-“I’m happy with what we’ve done, but there’s always room for improvement. To improve, you first need the willingness to do so and not settle. The team understands that.”
-“We added the variation of playing with two strikers. Another day we’ll try something different to become a team with more options, because that’s how a team evolves without affecting performance. The intention is to change in order to improve.”
-“The players are convinced, they have full confidence, and I believe a lot in all of them.”
-“I’m very happy with the squad we were able to build. There was great work from the sporting management and we found players that I felt could contribute.”
-“Even if we’re missing a player, no matter how important he is, we have good replacements.”
-“The players know the demands are extremely high. Those who don’t start or have fewer minutes know that the best way to be ready is to train at their maximum level so that when their moment comes, they can respond positively for the team. That dynamic is already in place and we’re not going to abandon it.”
-“Hormiga keeps evolving. He’s a very young player who isn’t satisfied with what he’s already doing, and that’s essential for a footballer’s progress. He has the humility to keep his objective in sight and wants to improve every day. I’m very happy with his goals and his development.”
-“We’ll find the best option for the next match — which we already have — to decide who will start.”
