Chivas' Playoff Hopes Hinge on Injured Star González as Milito Makes Controversial Sub

When Armando 'Hormiga' González limped off the pitch at the 62nd minute of Chivas’ 0-0 draw with Cruz Azul, the entire Club Deportivo Guadalajara stadium fell silent. Not because of a goal, not because of a red card — but because the team’s top scorer, the 24-year-old Mexican forward who’d carried them through the Apertura 2025 campaign with 12 goals, was being taken off not by tactical whim, but by pain. The substitution, made by Gabriel Milito, Chivas’ Argentine head coach, has sparked outrage among fans and anxiety among analysts. Why? Because this isn’t just about one match. It’s about whether Chivas can reach the semifinals at all.

The Moment That Changed Everything

It happened in the 62nd minute of the first leg at Estadio Akron on November 28, 2025. González, who’d already created Chivas’ clearest chance in the 27th minute — a sharp turn inside the box that forced a world-class save from Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño — was visibly favoring his left groin. He didn’t argue. He didn’t beg to stay on. He nodded at the bench. Milito didn’t hesitate. The substitution was immediate. No theatrics. No delay. Just a quiet, grim exchange between coach and player.

In the post-match press conference at 14:26 Central Time, Milito didn’t mince words: “We didn’t want to risk him and lose him for next Sunday. He held on as long as he could.” The injury, Milito confirmed, had plagued González since the week before the match. “He had a groin discomfort… we didn’t want to risk losing him.” It’s a decision that looks smart on paper — preserve your best player for the decider. But in the heat of a playoff knockout, where momentum is everything, taking off your most dangerous attacker feels like surrender.

A Week of Contrasts: From Anime Gifts to Medical Worry

Just four days earlier, on November 24, 2025, at Verde Valle training ground, the mood was completely different. Amaury Vergara, president of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, surprised González with a custom mini sculpture of Rin Itoshi, the intense, obsessive striker from the anime Blue Lock. The gesture wasn’t random. It was symbolic. González had become the embodiment of that character’s relentless drive — quiet, focused, deadly in the box. He broke down in front of his teammates, thanking them for their support. The photo that followed — González holding the figurine, arms around his squad, smiling through tears — went viral across Mexican social media.

Now? That same photo is being shared again. But this time, with captions like “Please let him play” and “We need Hormiga alive.” The emotional high of recognition has crashed into the physical reality of injury. Fans are torn between admiration for the team’s discipline and fury at the perceived caution.

The Numbers Don’t Lie — And They’re Alarming

Chivas sit fifth in the Apertura 2025 table with 31 points from 17 matches. Cruz Azul, their opponent in this quarterfinal, are sixth with 29. The gap is narrow. The stakes are massive. The next match — the return leg — is set for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Estadio Olímpico in Ciudad Universitaria. A draw on aggregate sends Cruz Azul through on away goals. Chivas need a win. Or at least a goal from González.

Without him, Chivas’ attack becomes predictable. Roberto Alvarado is talented, but he’s not a consistent finisher. The midfield — led by Luis Romo and Efrain Alvarez — controls possession, but they don’t score. González isn’t just a goal scorer. He’s a distraction. He draws defenders. He creates space. His absence changes everything.

Multiple sources, including Ultimo Minuto News and Soy Futbol, report that González’s recovery window is tight. Milito says he’ll be “considered” for the second leg. But “considered” isn’t “started.” And “started” isn’t “plays 90 minutes.” The medical staff has 48 hours to reverse what’s likely a Grade 1 or 2 adductor strain. That’s not impossible — but it’s not guaranteed either.

What Milito Isn’t Saying — And What Fans Are Suspecting

There’s a quiet undercurrent here. Milito, a former world-class defender with a reputation for tactical discipline, has been criticized before for being too cautious. Some fans wonder: Was this substitution really about injury — or about protecting González from a potential red card, or even a cynical foul from Cruz Azul’s physical defense? After all, Cruz Azul’s players are known for their aggressive tackles. One hard challenge could end González’s season.

Others point to the fact that Milito didn’t make a single attacking change after the substitution. He brought on a defensive midfielder. That’s not a move to win. That’s a move to hold. And with Chivas already trailing on away goals if they lose the next match, holding isn’t enough.

The Ripple Effect: More Than Just a Quarterfinal

If Chivas fall, it’s not just a playoff exit. It’s a psychological blow. The team hasn’t reached the semifinals since 2018. The fanbase — the most passionate in Mexican football — is already bruised by years of near-misses. A failure here, with González sidelined, would be seen as a failure of leadership.

Meanwhile, Cruz Azul — nicknamed “La Máquina” — are riding a wave of momentum. They’ve lost just once in their last six matches. Their defense, anchored by veteran center-back José Antonio Rodríguez, is tight. Their midfield, led by 33-year-old playmaker Luis Montes, is disciplined. They don’t need to score two goals. They just need to stop González. And if he’s not at 100%, they’ve got a real shot.

What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking

González’s availability will be confirmed no later than Friday morning, November 28, 2025, after a final medical evaluation. If he trains lightly on Thursday, he’ll likely be named to the squad. If he can’t jog without wincing? He’ll be a spectator. And Chivas will have to rely on hope — and a miracle.

Milito insists his team has “total confidence.” But confidence doesn’t score goals. Speed does. Precision does. A fully fit Armando González does.