José Castillo: the bastion of the Rojiblanca defense. | OneFootball

The FIFA break is over, and Guadalajara is already working at full speed to face Matchday 13 of the 2025 Apertura. The Rojiblancos have a very clear goal on the horizon: a fourth consecutive win, which would allow them to continue in the fight for direct qualification for the playoffs.

This rebirth of the Rebaño Sagrado in the tournament has several aspects, one of which is the performance of José Castillo. The young defender has returned to the level we all knew him for since his arrival at Chivas, where he has been a key part of the team's defensive solidity.

One of 'Casti's' greatest strengths is his adaptability, which allows him to play in any position in the back line without any problems. Whether as a center back, a full back on either side, a wing back, or even a wingback, the Rojiblanco number 21 is a very useful tool when Gabriel Milito is looking for options in that area of the field.

This versatility comes from his ability to understand the game and its rhythms, with and without the ball. When he does not have possession, he drops back when necessary or presses when it is time to provoke an error from the opponent and start the counterattack. When he has the ball, he knows how to get the team going by finding the best possible pass, even dribbling and joining the attack when the opportunity arises.

To get closer to that fourth win in a row, Guadalajara will have to convert the chances they create up front. But at the same time, they will have to keep a clean sheet, and to do so, they can count on a great performance from José Castillo.

José Castillo's stats in AP25

- 10 games played- 8 starts- 694 minutes played- 1 assist- 50 saves- 50 balls recovered- 12 balls won in his own area.- 368 successful passes- 5 successful crosses