Dieter Villalpando: Chivas not worried by 'normal' slow start | OneFootball

Chivas midfielder Dieter Villalpando has said the Flock are not concerned by their sluggish performances thus far in the Copa por México.

Los Rojiblancos overcame 2-0 Atlas last weekend before losing by the same margin against Tigres on Wednesday.

That defeat has left Villalpando and his team-mates requiring a win against Mazatlán FC on Saturday to guarantee a place in the semi-finals of the pre-season tournament.

Villalpando said rustiness is to be expected considering the lengthy lay-off after the Clausura season was cancelled in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And the midfielder insisted that these games will help Luis Fernando Tena’s men hit the ground running in the upcoming Apertura.

“Personally and collectively what we have discussed is that it is normal,” Villalpando told Chivas TV.

“Two months without football is difficult. It is not an excuse.

“We are physically well prepared, but training at home or on the street is not the same as being on the field of play.

“We go from less to more. Each took care of himself in his own way. Some come better than others, but it is normal. We will all be 100% at the start of the tournament.”

Chivas are level on points with Atlas in Group A, but are better off by one in terms of goal difference.