There are two eras of Necaxa splendor.
The first, in the 1930s, is known as the era of the "Once Hermanos". The team was called that because their plays seemed perfect, they understood each other almost with their eyes closed, and that translated into four league titles, two cup titles, and being the base of the Mexican national team for the Central Americans in El Salvador in 1935. That generation was made up of Raúl "Pipiolo" Estrada, Lorenzo "La Yegua" Camarena, Antonio "Azpiri" El León de las Canchas, Guillermo "Perro" Ortega, Ignacio "Calavera" Ávila, Marcial "Chato" Ortiz, Vicente "Chamaco" García, Tomás "Poeta" Lozano, Hilario López, Julio Lorez, and Luis "Pichojos" Pérez. In 1936, one of the most prominent players of that era joined, Horacio Casarín, who wrote his story as an unstoppable goalscorer, with a strong header and accurate shots with both legs. A figure that became an idol.
The most recent era
The second era, the most recent one, has also been a fundamental part of this team. It refers to the 90s, where Álex Aguinaga's effective style had a great impact, making him considered one of the best foreigners to have played in Mexican football. The management made a significant change in the direction of the club. They hired quality foreign players, such as Ivo Basay and Sergio Zárate. They were accompanied by Nicolás Navarro, José María Higareda, Octavio Becerril, Gerardo Esquivel, Ignacio Ambriz, Efraín Herrera, Ricardo Peláez, Alberto García Aspe, among others. In that squad, which managed to win three league titles, the back-to-back championships of the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, as well as the Winter 1998 title, the current sports director of the rojiblanco squad, Carlos López de Silanes, was also present.
The goal was to stay in the top division
The executive is open, as he has always been, they did not expect to reach the Liguilla in their first tournament upon their return to the top division. It took 14 years for this to happen. What they were looking for was to stay in the league, accumulate points to achieve the objective. The long-term goal is different.
Emulating the old glories
Necaxa wants to emulate the old passages of glory, their two legendary teams, that's why they put together a strong team, with good reinforcements, who are currently fighting in the semifinals against América. "We are looking to do it, I was part of that team (from the 90s) and it was a group that was together, that was committed. I have many friends like the sports president of the team we are facing, I'm talking about Ricardo Peláez," he said.
After a few seconds, he added, "we are looking for that, to make another story like that, it's not easy, there are few who achieve it, they are teams that create a dynasty, an era, that are kept in memory. Right now, we are focused on eliminating América, which will be quite difficult, and then we take it step by step."
Did you imagine reaching the Liguilla in your first tournament?
"I can tell you that no, when I arrived the situation was not the best, it was not optimal, we are talking about having only four points in six matchdays. It seemed complicated to qualify, to achieve the points we achieved. Looking at the dedication, the willingness, and the work within the squad, the results were obtained in the following matchdays."
The goal is far from being achieved
The executive is aware that they cannot celebrate just for reaching the playoffs. The project still has a long way to go, first they have to secure their place in the top division, then they will have to build the team's name with titles. It may sound easy, but it won't be:
"It's extremely difficult, the primary objective was to confirm ourselves in the top division, to generate a long-term project to bring Necaxa back to the levels they were accustomed to, what was seen in the 90s, that is the goal of the management, and of course, the players. Qualifying for the Liguilla happened quickly, maybe unexpectedly, but we still have this series against América left because we want to reach the final."
Teamwork is the key to success
He pointed out that "the success of an institution is teamwork. Here we are united players, coaching staff, and management, the people who work in the stadium, in the institution, we have all contributed, from the beginning we knew that our goal was to stay in the top division, to be in the league, and now the Liguilla, which we want to take advantage of."
Coach Alfonso Sosa is fundamental
Regarding the coach, Alfonso Sosa, the executive explained that "he is fundamental. We are proud because he is Mexican, he is a coach who listens, who discusses, who has good communication with management. I like the responses he has given to the questions, and he is also a person who questions the management, the players. He transmits to the team what he likes on the field, that is fundamental, it is part of success. He had a difficult time at Leones Negros, yes, but today he has a better team than back then, and he has also assimilated the failure he had with that relegation because he knows that's what it was, and that we have to learn from it and move forward."