With songs, a mass and a parade, the Atlas, of the tricolor Aníbal Chalá, and his fans drove the city of Guadalajara (western Mexico) crazy with the celebration for the title of the Apertura 2021 tournament of Mexican soccer, second in its history.
The nervousness and despair of thousands of fans during the second leg of the final that lasted this Sunday until the penalty shootout, turned into euphoria and joy that flooded the streets of the city.
From the second that the shot by Argentine Julio César Furch crossed the goal line that gave the title to the Foxes in a series of penalties, the Jalisco stadium trembled not only with the leaps of the fans, but with thousands of voices that joined in a single cry of joy at what until a few months ago seemed like a dream.
Although the team’s celebration was scheduled to take place at the end of the match, the board of directors decided to postpone it until this Monday afternoon and thus allow the players and coaching staff to rest and celebrate with their families.
While dozens of businesses paid their promise to give away tickets and all kinds of food if the Atlas won the championship, thousands of followers of the red and black team were getting ready to follow the celebration of the club that for 70 years had not achieved a league title.
At the club, and together with the 1951 trophy, former players and management left the wait behind and opened the bottle of whiskey that had been kept since 1954 with the legend “to be uncovered until the Atlas team wins a First Division championship.” , a bottle that had become a legend among the fans.
The party began with a mass in the Guadalajara Cathedral, which was attended by the entire team. Some players left as offerings a ball and a shirt with the red and black colors in addition to placing the league trophy on the altar of the church.
The priests took the opportunity to take a photo with the squad while holding the trophy as if it were a photograph of an official match, while shouting what is now the new war fried “Up the Atlas, champions!”
A bus took the players and coaching staff from the heart of the historic center along one of the best-known avenues in Guadalajara to the Ninos Héroes roundabout, where fans often celebrate the most significant triumphs.
Around him thousands of fans with flares and flags cheered the champions, while the cars that passed by honked their horns to show their excitement.
On the stage set up in front of the gazebo, the team sang and jumped alongside their fans. Argentine Diego Cocca, coach of the rojinegro team, assured the audience that the team will go for more.
“Thank you, faithful for us it is very important that you are there, we have a very committed team, we need you, we want you on the pitch always, because this is just beginning and we are going for more,” said the coach.
The team will break ranks this Tuesday and will have a few days off before beginning their preparation for the Clausura 2022 tournament. (D)
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