Three-time champions: history surrenders to UC

The Livingstone toad jumping with Dituro. Mario Lepe helping Saavedra to persecute them all; Tito Fouillioux and the Mumo making force from beyond. Buccicardi, Nacho Prieto, Rodolfo Almeyda, Arica Hurtado, Isella and Chocolito Castillo. The entire history of Universidad Católica making strength for the team that in San Carlos de Apoquindo played for a unique achievement for the club. Because that was UC yesterday, last week, six months ago, and three years ago. A set, a collective, that beyond the opaque party to fasten the star, he signed against Unión La Calera the tie that gave him the first three-time championship of his existence.

The fan was missing. The one who at home surely ate all his nails and counted the seconds until the final whistle. The one who imagined jumping and singing “few, but crazy”, while their idols gave the Olympic lap in San Carlos. Those who today appreciate Buljubasich’s work as sports director, who stand up to applaud Chapa and who are moved by his total dominance of Creole football.

The first half passed by. Tense, with two very shy teams, afraid of receiving the first blow. A game that was played in the midfield. Well played, yes, but from the cancellation of the rival and not from the proposition. With the Reds taking control of the ball with a neat, but infertile touch. And with UC pampering the ranch. Anyway, the clearest occasion was Zampedri, who failed where he almost never fails, after receiving from Puch. Minute 22, the only moment of emotion to aim before the break.

The landscape changed in the second half. Mainly because La Calera understood that the only result that served him was winning. Without leaving the script, except when the ball was left to Jeisson Vargas, but with more depth. From the outset, in fact, the visitor walked through Dituro’s arch, even though the play was suspended due to an offside.

Católica ran after the ball. Saavedra, the hardest worker in the middle zone, had to cover many meters, attempts to break the circuit of passes of the cement workers. Aued, irregular, participated little in the game and of course, the Argentine is a key piece to give order to the distribution. What was left of the crusaders? The vertigo on the bands. Lezcano, perhaps the most incisive, took some overflow from the right wing of the attack, the area where the offensive of the strip was best seen. Very little, however, for the team that had the title party in its pocket.

Far from being calm by the advantage on the table, Católica looked insecure on the court. Off. Ariel Holan could tell and that’s why his nervousness from the bench. The result so far was the only positive. And Dituro, of course, the supporter of the crossed campaign, who sent a remarkable cover against a shot from Valencia from outside the area.

The truth is that beyond good intentions, La Calera saw a clear decision to go for the game. A lot of control, a lot of safe passing, except in the last quarter of the duel. The entry of Stefanelli by Andrés Vilches gave the attack more mobility, more dialogue options for Vargas.

It was not enough. The UC title was signed. And Holan, not because of the final game, but because of a campaign that never saw his squad out of first place. It is true, about the end he faltered, but what does it matter, that will only remain in the anecdote. Here the whole year is awarded, interrupted by the pandemic. That is what allows this historic Catholic University to shout with all its letters: THREE CHAMPION !.

MATCH SHEET

U. Católica 0: Dituro; Rebolledo, Astaburuaga, Huerta, Cornejo (89 ′, Parot); Saavedra; Fuenzalida (75 ′, Núñez), Aued; Lezcano, Zampedri, Puch (90 + 4 ′, Valencia). DT: A. Holan.

U. La Calera 0: Martín Arias; Andía, Ch. Vilches, García, Wimberg; Leiva (87 ′, Rodríguez), Laba, Valencia; Castellani (65 ‘, Lamb); Vargas, A. Vilches (78 ′, Stefanelli). DT: JP Vogvoda.

Goals: –

Referee: Roberto Tobar. He admonished Cornejo, Zampedri (UC); Garcia, Laba (LC)

San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium: no audience.

In italics, youth player