Guadalajara Chivas receive a significant boost with the recovery of José Castillo and Richard Ledezma from their respective injuries. Both players are now available for manager Gabriel Milito ahead of the upcoming Matchday 6 clash against Pachuca in the Apertura 2026.
The red-and-white team arrives at this fixture in strong form, sitting fourth in the Liga MX table with 10 points from three wins, one draw, and a single loss. Their latest performance was emphatic: a 5-2 victory over Club Tijuana on August 22nd, extending their unbeaten run to five matches (four wins and one draw). This form places them just three points behind leaders Club America, with a positive goal difference of eight scored and five conceded.
The return of José Castillo offers Milito a versatile option for the defensive line. The player can operate in different zones across the backline, providing cover and experience. Meanwhile, Richard Ledezma represents a creative alternative in midfield, a resource to generate play and add greater depth to the team's attack. His availability is especially valuable considering the schedule, which includes a next fixture against Atlético San Luis on September 5th, a team currently in 16th place in the league standings.
The decision on their usage rests entirely with the coaching staff. It is not guaranteed that either will start against Pachuca. The staff will assess whether to introduce them from the opening whistle or opt for a more gradual reintroduction, managing their minutes after the period of inactivity. This caution is standard when reintegrating players coming off physical problems.
Despite the good news, the medical situation is not entirely clear. Guadalajara Chivas still have to deal with several important absences due to injury. Two cases requiring a longer recovery process are those of Miguel Tapias and Bryan González. Both players continue their rehabilitation and will not be available in the short term.
The club is working intensely to recover its other injured players. Each return adds strength for the demanding second half of the tournament, where consistency will be key to staying in the fight for the top spots. Fans can follow the status of the first-team squad and the upcoming fixture list on our dedicated pages.
The availability of Castillo and Ledezma gives Milito more cards to play in a complex match. Pachuca always represents a tough challenge, so having additional options, both in defense and in creativity, is a significant advantage. The team's objective is clear: to secure a positive result that allows them to maintain their pace near the top of the table.
With the return of these two players, Chivas gain depth and tactical variants just as the table begins to take shape. The positive streak of four wins and one draw in the last five matches shows a confident team, now with a slightly reinforced squad for the immediate challenges ahead.
