Mariano Varela: 'We cannot think about paying to stay in Liga MX' | OneFootball

By being joint-bottom of the relegation standings and having to travel 6,500 miles to play five games over an 11-day stretch, it’s easy to see why Chivas fans aren’t confident their side will avoid the drop.

Of course, any team relegated can pay a fine of 120 million pesos (€5.6m) to stay in Liga MX, as Veracruz did this summer.

Though it’s assumed Chivas would cough up the money instantly having never been relegated, the club has yet to officially announce their intentions in case such unfortunate events unfold.

In an interview with MARCA, sporting director Mariano Varela avoided the issue altogether.

“It is not on our minds, we cannot think about paying to stay in Liga MX,” Varela said.

“I think about the first game, I cannot think beyond beyond that. Those who cannot cope with that pressure does not deserve to play at Chivas.

“No I’m thinking about the 120 million.

“Qualifying for the Liguilla will make the relegation issue go away. We feel supported by [Chivas president] Amaury Vergara and today we have leaders in the dressing room who know what they are playing for: Oribe Peralta, Oswaldo Alanís, Jesús Molina, etc.

“I am convinced that we will move forward.”

Chivas have the unusual task of playing three games in a four-day stretch: Benfica on Saturday, their Liga MX opener against Santos Laguna on Sunday, and their International Champions Cup finale against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.