Armando González is the best striker in Liga MX

Data from FBRef.com and Wyscout, photo from TV Azteca.

Apertura 25 was Armando González’s breakthrough season. “Hormiga” scored 12 times (just one of which was a penalty), to end Apertura 25 as joint-top scorer, and his underlying numbers suggest that this performance is sustainable and repeatable.

FBRef.com has advanced metrics since 2018 for Liga MX, via Opta, including expected goals (xG). This metric measures the goal probability of attempted shots, and is more reliable and repeatable that actual goals scored. Therefore, it’s a more precise data point when predicting future goals.

Hormiga’s xG was 0.85 per 90 minutes this season, the highest figure of any Liga MX player, since 2018 (and likely longer). Better than any André-Pierre Gignac, Paulinho or Santi Giménez season.

The amount of shots that González generates from the most dangerous positions is extraordinary. Fotmob’s map shows many shots from closer to the goal than the penalty spot.

Within the five strongest leagues in Europe, only one striker can better Hormiga’s shot quantity and quality. Erling Haaland.

Game intelligence, reading of the game and off-ball movement are key factors behind González generating so many dangerous shots. After analyzing every shot attempt this season, I’ve found a few trends within his play style.

Runs in-behind the defense

Many of Hormiga’s most dangerous shots come after a run in-behind, attacking the space behind a defensive line. González doesn’t just possess the acceleration and speed to make these runs, but also has displayed many of the key tactical concepts to frequently get in-behind opponents.

One of the most impressive concepts is how he identifies and attacks the worst positioned centre-back.

Here’s a good example versus Tigres. Hormiga makes his run behind Joaquim, who seems more focused on the Chivas player positioned between the lines. The Brazilian also has poor body shape in this situation, and needs to turn 180 degrees before accelerating towards a pass into space (he should be “side-on”). Hormiga curves his run, to reduce the possibility that he’ll be caught offside and increase his dynamic advantage over the Tigres defenders.

There’s another good example against Rayados, with less space behind the defensive line to attack. Hormiga identifies that Sergio Ramos has stepped-up, drawn towards the ball (an error given that another defender was closer to press). González gets in-front of his marker and attacks the space behind Ramos.

His movement creates a dangerous 1vs1 opportunity, although the Monterrey keeper narrows the angle well.

Both examples show efficient body orientation, to allow for quick acceleration into space, but the best example of this concept comes against Tijuana.

Once again, Hormiga is positioned to attack the worst positioned center-back, and on the half-turn to accelerate, protect the ball from pressure on his back, and quickly get a shot off.

The through ball doesn’t come though, and Chivas move possession inside. Therefore, González turns 180 degrees to adjust his orientation. Attacking the space behind the other center-back, Hormiga receives the ball in a central 1vs1 opportunity.

Hormiga’s ability to shoot with both feet is a major factor behind him being comfortable making the same movements, but with different orientation. This season, González has attempted 18 shots with his right foot, and 15 with his left. Officially, he’s right-footed, but he’s actually scored more with his left in Apertura 25 (5 vs 2).

Exploiting attacking transitions

The efficiency of Gabriel Milito’s high press has contributed to Hormiga’s outstanding numbers this season. Creating more high turnovers increases the quantity of situations when González can attack a poorly organized defensive line and exploit spaces available.

He excels in transitions. His reaction is quick, and he stays aware of the game situation, at times starting an attacking run when he notices the possibility that the ball could be turned-over.

Rather than staying centrally, the 22-year-old is attracted to wherever space is available in counter-attacks. This is often out wide, when an opposing full-back has advanced.

By moving quickly to the space outside of an opposing center-back, Hormiga can receive a through ball to turn this transition into a 1vs1 opportunity.

There’s a similar example from the game against Pachuca. Hormiga has made a run out wide to exploit the space left by a full-back, who’s caught out of position during the counter-attack.

Exploiting the blindside when Chivas get into crossing situations

Many coaches teach the concept of being positioned on the “blindside”, or behind, the direct marker. Therefore, the defender can’t see the ball and the striker’s movement at the same time.

This situation against Rayados is a good example.

Hormiga generates separation from his marker, and with superb delivery from distance, he’s able to control the ball and shoot from inside the box.

Another example, against Querétaro. At the start, González is positioned closer to his marker. But when the ball moves wide and Chivas generate a crossing opportunity, Hormiga immediately attacks the blindside.

The defender, whose body shape could’ve been better, has to watch the cross, and therefore losses track of Hormiga.

The same concept, but this time from the right-wing. Hormiga on the blindside + An accurate cross = A clear opportunity.

An elite trait of strikers isn’t just the ability to occupy a defender’s blindside, but to keep adjusting their positioning in order to gain advantages over an opponent.

Hormiga’s headed goal against Pumas shows how he can remain aware of his positioning, related to defenders, and adjust to stay on the blindside. González starts behind Nathan Silva when Chivas develop a crossing opportunity.

But Ángel Azuaje takes over the marking responsibility, and positions his body to watch Hormiga and the ball.

Therefore, González adjusts his positioning. Without moving too much, he’s once again able to occupy a position where the defender can’t easily see him and the ball.

This positioning was critical to allow González to get a step on Azuaje, attack the ball before him, and score the header.

Dribbles to create shots

Whilst attacking 1vs1s aren’t a major strength of González, the Chivas striker does have the ability to use ball carries or changes of direction to create enough space to get a shot off.

The map below shows his final third dribbles, most of which are shown in black, to represent a shot post-dribble. The blue diamond was a dribble followed by a Hormiga goal.

Areas for improvement

Considering his focus on attempting to get in-behind defenses, Hormiga is actually quite effective at connecting attacks. González receives, and retains, the ball at an above-average rate for Liga MX strikers.

Concept analysis, combining a variety of weighted metrics. Green = Better ranking. Red = Worse ranking. The numbers display percentiles.

However, Hormiga isn’t that effective at winning aerial duels. He isn’t particularly tall, or physically strong, and could suffer in a stronger league, against center-backs who dominate duels. Better center-backs are also less likely to commit the positional errors that resulted in dangerous space for González to attack.

Statistically, Hormiga’s biggest weakness is his ability to create chances for teammates. This isn’t his main role at Chivas, and he often has no option but to shoot when he receives behind a defensive line, even from a tight angle, as teammates struggle to keep up with him. However, there are some situations where Hormiga could maximize his attacking output with greater awareness of where his teammates are positioned.

González could’ve created a clearer chance with a low cross to the far-post, the attempted shot only had an xG of 0.05 due to the tight angle.

Unfortunately for Hormiga, he plays in El Tri’s strongest position right now. Raúl Jiménez has been México’s best player in recent years, Santi Giménez is the highest valued Mexican and Germán Berterame has consistently been one of the best strikers in Liga MX. Julián Quiñones can also play up-front. However, I believe González should be in Vasco Aguirre’s squad. If México need a goal, Hormiga seems the best option to enter from the bench.

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