In Athens, Armando “Hormiga” González is beginning to make himself useful far from the Guadalajara shirt with which he became a familiar figure. His move to Olympiacos after the 2026 World Cup means Chivas will enter Sunday’s Clásico Nacional against América without him for the first time since his rise into the senior side.
A striker finding his place in Greece
González has already scored in major competitions for Olympiacos, making a positive early impression under José Luis Mendilibar and continuing that work under Imanol Alguacil, the former Real Sociedad coach now leading the Greek champions.
Alguacil has had to call on the Mexican forward sooner than expected after losing his established first-choice striker. The coach views González as an important part of an attack that must cope with a crowded calendar across domestic and European competitions.
- González arrived at Olympiacos following his involvement at the 2026 World Cup.
- He found the net in cup football and in the Europa League during his opening period with the Piraeus club.
- Against Jagiellonia, Olympiacos’ forwards combined scoring with a strong all-round contribution, leaving Alguacil satisfied with both players’ work.
- Olympiacos travel to bottom-of-the-table Levadiakos on Sunday morning, Mexico City time, offering González a chance to open his league scoring account.
“It is very pleasing that the forwards are scoring, but I also value the excellent job both of them did against Jagiellonia,” Alguacil said. “For a striker, goals matter a great deal. We do not have an excess of forwards, because there are many matches ahead and we need all three to score and work well. Everyone will have opportunities.”
Guadalajara face América without González
The same weekend brings a landmark meeting back in Mexico. Chivas take on América at Estadio Banorte in their first Clásico Nacional since González’s departure, ending a run in which he had been available for the fixture throughout his senior Guadalajara career.
His absence arrives while Chivas are in the upper reaches of the Apertura 2026 standings and unbeaten in six matches. Guadalajara travel into the derby after a 3-0 win over Pumas, seeking to show that their attacking threat can survive the loss of a forward who had become a reference point in their recent Mexican campaign.
- Chivas bring a six-match unbeaten sequence into the Clásico Nacional.
- Their most recent result was a 3-0 victory over Pumas.
- América remain among the leading sides in the table but come in after Cruz Azul ended their unbeaten start.
- Las Águilas are also trying to halt a three-match winless run in Clásicos against Guadalajara.
For González, the immediate task is to turn promising cup and Europa League contributions into league goals in Greece. For Chivas, the more emotional test comes in the evening: a defining rivalry match without the striker who had been part of their recent identity.
