GUADALAJARA -- 2015 could be considered a bittersweet year for Chivas Guadalajara. In the first half of the year they reached the semifinals and avoided relegation, while the second half of the year saw them win the Copa MX. What's more, they didn't lose a Clasico in either tournament, including a knockout tie against Atlas in the Liguilla. However, Chivas missed out on the playoffs in the 2015 Apertura and are still in trouble when it comes to the relegation table, proof that everything is far from rosy with the club.
Here are 10 aspects in which the Guadalajara side should work on in 2016 as they seek to avoid relegation and become a title challenger once again.
1. The return of their fans
Although attendances have improved, the Omnilife Stadium is still not a full house every fortnight. In the 2015 Apertura, Chivas had an average attendance of 26,418 for their home games, i.e., slightly over 50 percent of the stadium's capacity. In 2016, with relegation at stake, rapport with the fans will be key for Chivas.
2. Poor road record
Chivas were the third-worst away team in the entire 2015 Apertura, amassing just seven points thanks to their two wins, one draw and six defeats. Paradoxically, the Rojiblancos' only victories came against their bitter rivals: America and Atlas. If they want to make progress in 2016, Guadalajara must look to make themselves harder to beat away from home.
3. Improve defensively
Following a 2015 Clausura in which Jose Manuel de la Torre based his tactics on the defensive sector, injuries and suspensions impacted Chivas' performance in that area of the pitch and saw them finish with the 10th-best defense in the league, shipping 26 goals. Chivas failed to keep a clean sheet in the Apertura, as all 17 of their opponents were able to score against them.
4. Defend their cup title
As Copa MX holders, Chivas will be seeking to defend their crown in the 2016 Clausura. Since this competition was reintroduced in 2012, no team has managed to retain their title. Taking into account the competition's entire history (it was formerly called the Copa Mexico), the last team to win back-to-back titles was Leon in the 1970-71 and 1971-72 campaigns.
5. Aim to qualify for the 2017 Copa Libertadores
Unless Chivas retains their Copa MX title, they will compete for the Super Copa MX in mid-2016, the winners of which will earn a spot in the first stage of the 2017 Copa Libertadores. Although avoiding relegation is their primary goal, this medium-term goal also appears on the horizon for the Rojiblancos.
6. Contribute more to the national team
It's no secret that Chivas ceased to form the basis of the national team some years ago. In 2014, the club failed to provide the El Tri with any players directly (only former academy players who now play for other teams) and the picture does not look much better a year later. Only Oswaldo Alanis and Raul Lopez were called up to Juan Carlos Osorio's most recent squad.
7. More academy exports
When owner Jorge Vergara's project began to take shape a decade ago, Chivas began exporting players to Europe almost every year. Carlos Vela, Carlos Salcido, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Omar Bravo (who left as a free agent), Javier Hernandez, Ulises Davila and Raul Gudino, to name a few. However, on today's evidence, it seems unlikely that the club's academy is in a position to export more Mexican players overseas.
8. They are still dependent on Bravo
Injuries were kind to Omar Bravo in 2015, enabling him to surpass Salvador Reyes as Chivas' all-time leading goalscorer. However, Chivas are lacking other players to share the goalscoring burden with the Los Mochis-born striker, and any injury to Bravo would cause major issues for the Chivas attack. Bravo scored ten of Chivas' 23 goals in the 2015 Apertura; he was followed by Marco Fabian with three.
9. Stability in the boardroom
The departure of directors has been a constant for Chivas during the last decade. For 2016, the club appears to be banking on Jaime Ordiales, who will take the sporting reins. The challenge for Guadalajara is to maintain stability among the top brass, who need to ensure that the legal problems between Angelica Fuentes and Jorge Vergara do not impact on the team.
10. Continuity on the bench
From the 2013 Apertura to date, eight coaches have played their part in Guadalajara: Benjamin Galindo, Juan Carlos Ortega, Jose Luis Real, Carlos Bustos, Ramon Morales (interim), Ricardo La Volpe, Jose Manuel De la Torre and most recently Matias Almeyda, have all been appointed by the Chivas board in just five seasons. Almeyda's continued presence can't be guaranteed. However, another change would mean that Chivas are close to a historic relegation in 2016.