Breaking: Chivas set their tone for Clausura 2026 right now. Guadalajara have named their squad for the opener against Pachuca, and the plan is clear. The absences are real. The message is bolder. And La Hormiga González just gave the attack a jolt with his first goal of the tournament. The red and white start with intent, pressure, and pride.
Chivas make their call, adjust their shape
Guadalajara have confirmed their called-up squad for the clash with the Tuzos. It is a group built for mobility and bite. There are injuries and suspensions that trim the options, so the bench will look different. The staff has answered with balance. Extra legs in midfield. A front line that can press and run.
This is not a day for overthinking. It is a day to set the standard. Expect a compact block when Pachuca try to play out. Expect sharp counters when Chivas win the ball. The tone of a season often starts with those first 15 minutes. The Rebaño know it, and the plan reflects it.
The internal message is simple. Win the duels. Punish mistakes. Keep a clean shape. The absence list forces rotations, but it also opens doors. A couple of young pieces will have minutes. Veterans will steady the group. The mix matters.
Watch the first press from Guadalajara. If they trap early and win territory, Pachuca will have to chase.
La Hormiga steps forward
La Hormiga González has changed the conversation with a timely finish. His first goal of the tournament could not come at a better moment. He is sharp in tight spaces. He arrives in the box with timing. He links well with a second striker or an inverted winger. That blend fuels this system.
The staff trust his movement. He drifts off the shoulder, then checks into pockets. He brings defenders with him, then frees a lane for the late run from midfield. It looks simple. It is not. It takes instincts, and he has them.
This form matters for the club and for a bigger stage. If he stacks goals in the spring, doors open in the summer. 2026 is around the corner. He knows every touch is a note on his case. The challenge is consistency, not flashes. Tonight is a chance to prove that.
Tuzos test the build
Pachuca will not sit back. The Tuzos trust their identity. They push their wide men, they play precise vertical balls, and they hunt second chances. Their academy feeds them fearless players. They come to spoil openers and steal points. That is their edge.
Chivas must handle the first line of pressure and avoid lazy passes into traffic. The pivot has to play clean. The center backs must be brave but not risky. And the fullbacks need to pick the right moments to go.
Here are the three match levers that will decide the night:
- First pass out of pressure in midfield
- Runs beyond the last line when Pachuca step high
- Set piece discipline in both boxes
If Guadalajara win those areas, they tilt the field. If not, Pachuca can flip momentum with one fast break. Small details, big swings.
The weight of opening night
There is a special charge in a Liga MX opener. The banners. The drums. The expectation. Chivas carry the badge of a club that plays with homegrown pride, and that means a standard. Pachuca bring the badge of a builder, a team that refines talent and competes every year. This is why the first whistle matters. It is not just three points. It is tone, trust, and belief.
Guadalajara’s supporters demand bravery. They want clear ideas and hard running. They want a team that stands up in the big moments. The squad list and the setup show that the message landed. Now the football must speak.
Early result, strong identity, and a confident González are the pillars of Chivas’ launch.
What to expect on the night
I expect Guadalajara to start on the front foot. Quick combinations down the right. A switch to the weak side. A cutback for the trailer. If they score first, the pressure shifts to Pachuca, and spaces open. If they concede first, the test becomes patience and control, not panic.
The key is tempo. Keep it high without losing the ball in bad zones. Press without fouling in risky areas. Be calm on corners. And let La Hormiga work the seams. One chance can change the game. ⚽
This is the first statement of Clausura 2026. Guadalajara have placed their pieces. Pachuca will push back, as they always do. I am calling it now. The team that wins the middle third wins the night. And if La Hormiga stays hot, Chivas own the final word.
