Chivas de Guadalajara, Like the whole MX League, it begins in 2021 with hopes for the continental sphere; although looking towards South America. It is that it currently exists, in a concrete way, the hope that Mexican football can once again be the protagonist of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, CONMEBOL Tournaments, after almost half a decade.
The Sport Club Guadalajara was, next to its eternal rival, the Club America, the first two Mexican teams to participate in these iconic South American club competitions in 1998, and that lasted nearly two decades until 2015, after the UANL Tigers final against River Plate, which ended up consecrating itself. A period in which the white and red ones remained with the subchampionship of the Liberators in 2010 and arrived at the semifinals in 2005 and 2006. However, the question one is asked is whether Chivas would have the level to fight again for two trophies in the event of the MX League rejoining.
For all the CONMEBOL tournaments that have had participation from Mexico throughout history, Chivas played 92 games, winning 36, drawing 23 and losing 33. These statistics are already important data when analyzing what could be a hypothetical return to these competitions. Those of Guadalajara have always been tough rivals and, therefore, in case of dispute both the Libertadores and the South American would remain so.
What should be taken into account, and put on the scales, is whether the rivals Chivas would have to face are equal, weaker or tougher than those faced by the Sacred Flock in their last participations and if they are, moreover, compared to those who play in the CONCACAF Champions League.
And as for these questions the answer is an undoubted yes in both cases. Today, in South America, there are more teams hard and hard to beat than there were at the beginning of this century, when they were few and very strong. to name, You can talk about the Boca Juniors by Carlos Bianchi that during very many years it dominated Argentine soccer and it was unstoppable at continental level. Today the situation is different, with more heterogeneous and complete seedlings, without distinguishing names or history. Although you can also see, at times, a hegemony of certain paintings, as with River Plate, precisely rival of the Xeneize, led by Marcelo Gallardo.
To this must be added travel. The expansion of contingents by the CONMEBOL, which allowed more teams to participate in the competitions, Also brought about a greater diversification with respect to the locations to where these encounter occur. In this sense, Mexico has always played at a disadvantage compared to CONCACAF competitions, as every time it leaves the country it has to make long and exhausting trips. This is something that the MX League must weigh when assessing a possible return to CONMEBOL.
But if the question needs to be answered, analyze whether Chivas de Guadalajara has the level, the answer is yes and no. Yes why it is one of the most important teams in Mexico and the continent, Therefore he would be a very difficult rival to overcome, a serious candidate to reach the decisive phases. And not because Mexico was never characterized in its history to compete seriously in this field; MX League teams, including Chivas, have even reached the grand final of the tournament, but always falling to the, admittedly, supremacy of South America. Following this, today Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay are, in plan, equal to or superior to domestic football.
In spite of everything, the return to both the Copa Libertadores and the South American of the MX League teams would be great news for all Mexican football, That would return to gain its place in a continental competition that, of always, has had to Chivas and the rest of the clubs like protagonists; in addition to the importance that generates to face great protagonists South American soccer like world-wide, as they are it today Boca Juniors, River Plate, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Saints, Lanús, Vélez Sarsfield, among others. It remains to be seen what happens in this 2021.
Repeat as a semifinalist, minimum