Chivas and a Showcase of Their Resources in San Luis Potosí

Guadalajara defeated Atlético de San Luis 0-3 in Jornada 7 of the Apertura 2026, showcasing their efficiency, pressing and ability to adapt, once again highlighting the wealth of resources available to Gabriel Milito's side. Some matches are won by a single detail. Others, by an individual moment of brilliance. And then there are performances like Chivas' in San Luis, in which the final score is merely a reflection of a dominant display built across different phases of the game.

The 0-3 victory at Estadio Alfonso Lastras was a snapshot of what Guadalajara can offer when its players execute the game plan correctly. High pressing, clean buildup from the back, the ability to pin down the opposition's defensive line and, above all, excellent decision-making from the bench to change the course of the match when Atlético de San Luis attempted to react.

One of Guadalajara's main strengths was their pressing. Chivas constantly disrupted San Luis' buildup and, through that work, recovered possession in areas that allowed them to attack with an advantage. The defensive structure also underwent an important adjustment with the return of Daniel Aguirre, who operated as a right-sided stopper and gave the team a cleaner outlet from the back.

Hugo Camberos and Roberto Alvarado did not have to cover large distances as wing-backs. Both played much higher up the pitch, almost as wingers, allowing Chivas to have a greater presence and width in the opposition half. And when the match began to become more difficult to break open, another quality emerged: the ability to change players' roles without completely altering the structure.

Alvarado began to drop deeper in the buildup, getting closer to the first passes and helping maintain possession. 'Piojo' was not only influential in the opposition half; he also became an important outlet for playing out from the back.

Three Forwards Against Three Center Backs

The opening goal perfectly summarized one of Gabriel Milito's main intentions for the match: creating a three-versus-three situation against Atlético de San Luis' center backs. Ángel Sepúlveda, Ricardo Marín and Santiago Sandoval were responsible for pinning down the home side's defensive line. Sandoval, who essentially operated as a third forward, perfectly read the space that opened up between the center backs and arrived there to finish and make it 0-1.

It was not an isolated play. It was the consequence of an idea.

Chivas managed to give the home defenders clear references on the rojiblancos attackers while simultaneously finding spaces to attack between the lines. The second goal once again showcased that same intention.

Sepúlveda received the ball with his marker practically attached to him, but used his body to protect possession before laying it off first-time to Ricardo Marín. The rojiblanco forward took advantage of the play and produced an excellent finish to extend the lead. Two goals, two examples of how Guadalajara managed to maximize the characteristics of their forwards.

Atlético de San Luis changed their approach in the second half. The home side came out with greater aggression, took control of possession and, for several minutes, managed to push the match into rojiblanco territory. Chivas lost some of their control and the scenario looked different from the first half.

That was when another of Guadalajara's great strengths emerged: their ability to adjust.

Gabriel Milito moved two pieces and found his way back into the match. Efraín Álvarez's introduction gave the team a player capable of staying wide on the left while also moving inside. Kevin Castañeda came on to add a presence between the lines and behind San Luis' midfielders, while Chivas sacrificed a forward to gain an extra player in that area.

The effect was immediate. Guadalajara once again found better connections and regained control of the ball. Even the first passes began to come from players we usually think of as attackers. Alvarado and Álvarez participated from deeper areas, offering passing lanes and helping build attacks from the back.

That detail is important: Chivas did not rely solely on their center backs or midfielders to initiate their attacks. Their own forwards were capable of becoming playmakers.

The Third, Another Display of Combination Play

The 0-3 scoreline ultimately completed the showcase. Ricardo Marín once again played with his back to goal, held off his marker and laid the ball off precisely to Richard Ledezma, who found himself facing goal and unleashed a powerful shot that beat the San Luis goalkeeper.

The combination once again highlighted one of the defining characteristics of this Guadalajara side: the ability to create advantages through short combinations, movement and players capable of interpreting different roles.

Ledezma, in addition, enjoyed an excellent spell after coming on down the right wing. His involvement provided freshness and depth during the final stages of the match.

The victory in San Luis is valuable for the three points, but also for everything it tells us about this Chivas side. Guadalajara was able to press, build, pin the opposition back, attack spaces, change their positioning and respond when the opponent changed their approach. They were a team that found solutions both through the initial structure and from the bench. And that speaks volumes about the number of resources available to Gabriel Milito.

Guadalajara showed that they can control a match in different ways. They can do it through high pressing, positional attacks, direct play toward their forwards or by creating numerical advantages between the lines.

On a difficult pitch, the Rebaño delivered a complete performance and secured a convincing 0-3 victory that allowed them to climb the standings.

Chivas has the resources. Milito has the alternatives. And San Luis was yet another example of that.