We approach every match like it’s a final, and the Leagues Cup will be no exception.- Gabriel Milito | OneFootball

We approach every match like it’s a final, and the Leagues Cup will be no exception. We value Liga MX, this tournament, and the Concacaf Champions Cup equally. We know this is a competition that leaves no room for error, so getting off to a winning start will be extremely important. We’re focused on tomorrow and not thinking about the second match. We’ll be facing a very strong opponent, and we’ll have to deliver a great performance. We’re excited about the opportunity to get positive results in these matches and advance to the Quarterfinals.

We’re fully aware that they’re a very dynamic and direct team, with incredibly fast players. Tomorrow we’ll need to be patient, organized and solid, while staying true to our identity of always looking to attack. If we can play that kind of match, we’ll be much closer to getting a positive result.

When we built this roster, we placed a great deal of importance on strengthening our attack. We added players like Jordan Carrillo and Kevin Castañeda, in addition to the quality we already had. Efraín Álvarez can play out wide or through the middle, Brian Gutiérrez also gives us different options, while Santiago Sandoval and Hugo Camberos are very important young players for us. We wanted players who can score goals, and today we have excellent alternatives. In every position we look for quality and depth. Whenever we need fresh legs during a match, we’ll have them without sacrificing quality. The competition for places is extremely high across the squad, and that’s a benefit for the team. Match by match, we decide who should play. In some positions, it’s not only about individual performance, but also about what the team needs. A player isn’t left out because he played poorly, but because the team requires something different. Everyone has to be ready to play… and also to not play.

Our goalkeepers are all at a very similar level. Whalley has shown that he’s ready every time he’s been called upon, including during the playoffs. He’s an important player for us.

He knows how much confidence we all have in him, and that’s why he’s part of this team. His teammates believe in him, and this run won’t change our opinion. Even the best strikers in the world go through stretches where the goals don’t come. He’s going to score again. He has to stay calm and emotionally balanced. We’ll continue reinforcing that confidence. If it doesn’t happen tomorrow, we’ll keep supporting him until it happens in the next match. Good runs and difficult spells are both part of football, and anxiety is never a good advisor.

The level of competition is extremely high, just as it should be at a big club. We work knowing that the team’s goals will always come before individual ones. Every week you have to be close to excellence because we’re all fighting for a place. The more options we can give the coaching staff, the more solutions the team will have for different situations. I just want to contribute, whether I’m asked to play on the right or the left. The coach constantly emphasizes that we have to be a team with one identity. We don’t look at the opponent or the circumstances to decide how we’ll play; Chivas always aims to compete and succeed. No matter what role we’re asked to take on, we’re all ready to contribute in order to achieve the team’s objectives.

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