Universidad de Chile drew 1-1 with Coquimbo Unido in a match marked by fan interruptions and the recent announcement of coach Gustavo Álvarez's departure. The draw distances the blues from direct qualification to the Copa Libertadores, while Coquimbo fails to break its 16-win streak. Álvarez defended his decision, stating it did not affect the team.
The match on matchday 29 of the Liga de Primera took place on Tuesday at Estadio Santa Laura in Santiago, amid a tense atmosphere due to Gustavo Álvarez's prior announcement of not continuing with Universidad de Chile next season. The Argentine coach from Lomas de Zamora explained his decision in the pre-match press conference, citing a 'great wear' and a 'disagreement between reason and heart'. I couldn't convince the management of what I believe the team needs, Álvarez said.
Azul Azul president Michael Clark responded harshly before kickoff: We will make decisions at year's end. We have a valid contract, but obviously, forced affection does not exist. Fans expressed discontent with banners like 'Inept directors' and chants against management, leading to interruptions: at the 13th minute, fireworks and stun bombs from the north sector halted play for over five minutes, and later bengalas caused another stoppage.
On the field, La U dominated early with chances from Javier Altamirano and Lucas Di Yorio, but Coquimbo opened the scoring at 44' with a header from Martín Mundaca, capitalizing on an error by Gabriel Castellón on the exit. In the second half, Charles Aránguiz equalized at 48' from a penalty after a handball by Bruno Cabrera. The draw leaves the blues relying on stumbles from Universidad Católica and O'Higgins to aim for the Chile 3 spot, while the pirates remain at 16 consecutive wins, matching the Ballet Azul record from 1963-64.
Post-match, Álvarez analyzed: The team showed entereza, delivery, conviction as always today. If there's doubt whether that could have affected the team or not, for me it did not repercute in the slightest. Both teams ended unsatisfied, with La U distancing from Chile 2.
