The student cast returns to the top of the continental competition after four years of absence. However, not all the news is happy at the CDA, since they learned of a situation that has been dragging on since their last participation in the international tournament.
The University of Chile will be present at the Copa Libertadores. Gustavo Álvarez’s side’s campaign saw them secure at least third place in the current First Division competition. A situation that brings joy to the CDA. Of course, the same coach put a damper on any celebration of the goal being achieved. “It’s a satisfaction. We know this is the minimum target and now we have to do everything,” he said.
The U have not accessed the highest continental competition since 2021. On this occasion, they were eliminated in phase 2 against San Lorenzo de Almagro with a cumulative score of 3-1. The score was 1-1 at the National Stadium and 2-0 for the Argentines at Nuevo Gasómetro. To reach the last blue participation in the group stage of the tournament, we have to go back to 2018, when they shared an area with Cruzeiro, Racing and Vasco da Gama.
However, all is not joy among the secular guests. Indeed, they will have to continue to comply with a sanction which will not allow them to have an audience during their first home match. A punishment from Conmebol after the incidents that occurred on February 4, 2020, when the University of Chile hosted Internacional de Porto Alegre in Ñuñoa, in a match valid for the second qualifying round of the Copa Libertadores.
That day, while the match was taking place, a group of supporters started a fire in the South Gallery area. The financial sanction was 200 thousand dollars for Azul Azul, as well as a ban on having the public at the next two local matches. They already achieved one in the key against San Lorenzo, while they were managed by Rafael Dudamel. These types of sanctions take five years to expire, so the delays do not favor the U.
A voucher at La Cisterna
The good news they received at the University of Chile is that Leandro Fernández will be able to participate in the University Classic. The striker was sent off in the 30th minute of the match against Deportes Iquique for a violent tackle on Joaquín Moya. The disciplinary court sanctioned him with a suspension date, so he will miss the match against Unión La Calera.
At the U, they wanted to inflict punishment on their attacker, arguing that there was no intention to hit and that the foul had occurred on the grass field. However, when Piero Maza’s report was published, some feared that the sanction would be broader, following the referee’s explanations. “Guilty of serious foul play; by striking the thigh of a rival player with the sole of his foot using excessive force and endangering the physical integrity of the opponent,” wrote the whistler.
The University of Chile leads the standings with 55 points and is seven points ahead of Colo Colo, who will play the first of three pending matches against the Crusaders this Thursday. At La Cisterna, we hope that the Cacique will get confused in one of his commitments to depend on himself again in the home stretch of the National Championship.
Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
