The return of Universidad Católica to South American competition marks the most ambitious objective of a campaign that unfolds on three fronts for the team and its supporters.
With reinforcements arriving—Byron Nieto, Alexander Aravena, Guillermo Burdisso, Eugenio Mena, and Franco Di Santo—Catholic University began shaping its 2023 project, a season built after the departures of José Pedro Fuenzalida, Germán Lanaro, and Luciano Aued. The club pursued a path designed to blend experience with new ideas, aiming to keep pace with both domestic rivals and continental ambitions.
The strategy includes stabilizing a permanent home base as San Carlos evolves into a newer, more ambitious version of itself. The Santa Laura stadium is seen as a cornerstone for the club, especially in a region where the fanbase is most concentrated and ready to support a renewed era.
On the penultimate Friday of December 2022, Universidad Católica defeated Chile Sub 20 by a comfortable margin, thanks to goals from Fernando Zampedri and Diego Ossa, with a late reply from Joan Cruz. This match highlighted a growing cohesion in the squad as the season approached.
“The coach’s plan began to show in training,” Burdisso observed after a decisive win against La Roja Sub 20. “I feel my adaptation is solid. The team trains with intensity, and the group has welcomed me without hesitation. Friendly matches let the coaching staff test different tactical systems. The squad is engaged and demands every ounce of effort in every session. That preparation will translate into official matches.”
The aim is to ensure squad rotation so that every player has a chance to contribute and to mix up the starting lineup in the second half of games for variety and resilience.
Lineup snapshots circulated on social media during the period showed a balanced mix of veteran leadership and promising youth: Thomas Gilier; Manuel Lolas, Bastian Roco, Darko Fiamengo, and Yahir Salazar; Bryan González, Jeison Fuentealba, and Joan Cruz; Martin Maturana, Alberto Letelier, and Juan Ignacio Figueroa. The post was shared by the Chile national team account and reflected the early optimism surrounding the season.
To close 2022, Católica defeated Magallanes in two test matches of 70 minutes each, finishing with wins of 3-0 and 4-1. Cesar Pinares, Fernando Zampedri, and Gonzalo Tapia factored in the first victory, while Milan Tudor, Luis Felipe Hernández, and Tapia contributed in the second, with a goal from Yorman Zapata for Magallanes. A press conference with Ignacio Saavedra praised the team’s improved organization and adherence to the coach’s plan.
The team also prepared for public friendlies on the Independencia campus against Rosario Central in the second week of January, with a match against Workshops canceled due to stadium constraints. A trip to Concepcion featured a dominant performance against Oriente Petrolero, scoring repeatedly and showcasing a strong offensive punch against Bolivian opposition.
The season’s marquee objective remains the South American Cup, with a single-elimination path to the group stage through a clash with Audax Italiano. A win would propel Católica directly into the group stage, with the domestic league opener set to take place against Everton as an early test of strength.
THE FIXTURE: UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA MATCH SCHEDULE 2023
WHAT TOURNAMENTS DO THEY PLAY AND HOW ARE THEY STRUCTURED?
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