The Challenge for Atlas and Monarcas
It was on Monday, November 25, 2013 when their paths crossed. For 500 million pesos, Grupo Salinas bought the football assets of Atlas AC after the economic and sports crisis that plagued the club.
Since then, Monarcas and Atlas have shared many things beyond belonging to the same owner. Of course, controversy over multi-ownership is one of the situations that has been talked about the most in this relationship. However, the most critical point will be experienced this Saturday at 9:00 PM, when, at the same time, Atlas hosts Jaguares at the Jalisco Stadium and, hundreds of kilometers away, Morelia visits Monterrey. These 90 minutes will determine the joy of one club's salvation and the hell and suffering of the other.
Fate has arranged for the team with the highest likelihood of relegation to play at the home ground of their brother club. Jaguares de Chiapas, with a coefficient of 1.1287 after 114 points in 101 games, no longer depends on themselves to be saved, as they will need to defeat the red and blacks and hope that at the BBVA Stadium, Rayados win or draw with Morelia. Any result other than a victory for Chiapas would condemn the López Chargoy team, which has another case of multi-ownership as they also own Puebla.
Statistically, both Morelia and Jaguares are not favorites in their respective visits, and even more so taking into account that both Atlas and Rayados are looking for three points to try to take the lead in the tournament. If this were to happen, practically the Zorros would be giving salvation to their "big brother".
Three and a half years ago, surely neither Ricardo Salinas Pliego nor any other executive could have imagined that the salvation of one of their teams would be in the hands of the other.
Thus, the relationship between both clubs could be stronger than ever from midnight, since even though players have also moved between the two teams, such as Enrique Pérez, Felipe Baloy, Federico Vilar, Rodrigo Millar, and Juan Pablo Rodríguez, or the current Red and Black goalkeeper, Miguel Fraga, no situation has been as "uncomfortable" due to the issue of multi-ownership or as "comfortable" due to family ties as the one that will be experienced on the last day of the regular season.
Mentality to Win in MTY
After making a statement of authority in matchday 16, beating Pumas, in Monarcas they are only focused on repeating a categorical victory, even if the opponent is of a higher level.
For midfielder Diego Valdés, the Michoacan team will show that they are here to stay in the First Division due to the importance of the club.
"We now depend on ourselves. If we go to Monterrey to do things as we did in the match against Pumas, I think Morelia has to stay in the First Division. We showed that this institution needs to stay. We showed all the people who came to support us (that we want to stay).
"A very difficult game, we knew we had to win, to add. It was up to us and we showed that on the field. It was a very correct match from our side".
Relegation at the Same Time
The Liga MX announced that the three teams involved in the relegation battle will play at the same time on Saturday. Although Veracruz is practically saved due to goal difference, it is still mathematically possible for them to be relegated, although the probability is almost zero.
Relegation Matches
Saturday, May 6th
Atlas vs Jaguares
9:00 PM
Jalisco Stadium
Monterrey vs Morelia
9:00 PM
BBVA Stadium
Tijuana vs Veracruz
9:00 PM
Caliente Stadium
Trivia
In 2018, Grupo Salinas will have to get rid of one of the two teams or reach an agreement with the Mexican Football Federation to continue with both clubs.