At Estadio Nacional amid rain, Universidad de Chile and Deportes La Serena drew 2-2 in the Copa de la Liga Chilean opener. Universidad de Chile's new coach Fernando Gago watched from a box. It was interim coach Jhon Valladares' final match.
The Copa de la Liga kicked off with a 2-2 draw between Universidad de Chile and Deportes La Serena at Santiago's Estadio Nacional on a rainy afternoon. Around 15,000 spectators attended, with Universidad de Chile's new 39-year-old Argentine coach Fernando Gago watching from a box alongside assistant Fabricio Coloccini. It marked interim coach Jhon Valladares' last game. La U started Ignacio Sáez in goal, Eduardo Vargas up top, Maximiliano Guerrero on the right and Ignacio Vásquez on the left. Azul goals came from Guerrero at the 19th minute, heading in Vásquez's cross (1-0), and Vargas at 53, finishing a counter cross-shot (2-2). Deportes La Serena leveled through Felipe Chamorro at 29 after a rebound off Fabián Hormazábal, and he scored again at 40 exploiting defensive disarray (2-1). Diego Rubio's 63rd-64th minute header was disallowed for offside. Universidad de Chile led early but faltered after taking the lead, spurring La Serena's response under Felipe Gutiérrez. Substitutions included Juan Martín Lucero and Jhon Cortés for La U, shifting to a 4-2-4 attack. La Serena stayed proactive. Seven added minutes saw chances but no further goals. La U faces Unión La Calera next Tuesday in Ñuñoa, likely Gago's debut.
