Clásico Nacional Crucial for Chivas

Photo by Omar Martinez Martinez/Getty ImagesIn soccer-mad Mexico, the build-up to the Clásico Nacional dominates the headlines, airwaves, and television screens for days and even weeks before kickoff. Any astute follower of the fervent coverage will be familiar with a few phrases that are always heard before this monumental match. Expressions like “No importa como lleguen los equipos en la tabla” (It doesn’t matter where the teams are in the table) or “Los clásicos son partidos aparte” (The clásicos are special matches) are repeated ad nauseam by a small army of pundits and journalists.

Yet, there is one saying that stands out above all the rest: “Los clásicos hay que ganarlos” (You must win…