Gabriel Milito offered an assessment that goes beyond Chivas’ comeback to draw with Atlas: the team needs to improve its attacking clarity, correct its coverage behind the defense and expand its options for the closing stretch of Apertura 2026. In a press conference shared by Guadalajara, the coach explained his decisions and focused on the six remaining matches.
Guadalajara extended its winless streak to three matches with a 1-1 draw against Atlas at Estadio Jalisco on Matchday 11 of the men’s Liga BBVA MX. Milito praised his team’s response, though he acknowledged that possession and periods of dominance did not always translate into clear chances in front of Atlas’s goal.
Back three and two forwards to occupy Atlas
As Milito explained, the back three was intended to make it easier to play out against an Atlas defense whose players positioned themselves at different heights. The coach felt that this approach helped the team control stretches of the first half. His assessment thus distinguishes between playing out from the back, which left him encouraged, and the finishing phase, where precision was lacking.
In attack, the initial plan brought together two center forwards and Piojo, with freedom to move. Milito said he wanted to keep the opposing center backs occupied and have options to combine both short and long. He also explained that the starting formation was designed to later change the forward line with Hugo and Sandoval, rather than maintain the same setup throughout the match.
The defensive correction and the academy’s contribution
The specific issue Milito said needed review was the ball played behind the defense that left Chivas trailing. Although he praised the team for staying calm as it sought the equalizer and then tried to win, he did not consider the problem solved. His assessment combined praise for the team’s mental response with an identifiable tactical correction.
The coach also highlighted Leonel Calderón and Carlos Hernández’s first minutes in the First Division. In Hernández’s case, he linked his involvement to the absences affecting the defense. For Milito, turning to the academy has allowed the team to adapt while it does not have the full squad available; he praised both players for being ready to step up in a clásico.
What Milito is looking for in the Apertura’s closing stretch
Milito also reviewed his decisions in the previous match, against Querétaro. He admitted that his second-half changes left the team less balanced: he took off Oso to add attackers and seek more presence up front. In that case, he took responsibility for the imbalance; against Atlas, the problem he identified was the difficulty of creating clear chances.
For the six remaining matches, Milito set out developing alternatives and getting players back to full availability as priorities. His stated goal is to reach the stage when the tournament is decided, and a possible run through the liguilla, with more resources. His message puts the remaining work in two specific areas: improving the team’s overall play and having more options to change it.
