Universidad de Chile Resets Ahead of the 2023 Campaign
In collaboration with Mauricio Pellegrino, the Romantic Traveler aims to leave behind four long years of struggle against relegation and reestablish the club as a force in Chilean football.
In 2023 the Universidad de Chile club invested heavily, hoping the Blue Sports Center would become a symbol of renewal after a sequence of disappointing seasons focused on preserving top-flight status rather than competing for glory.
The winners of the 2023 squad—reinforcements and rumors — began to take shape with the arrival of Juan Pablo Gómez at right-back and the appointment of Mauricio Pellegrino as head coach. The club undertook a swift overhaul of a storied roster in need of a quick return to form. The season would not feature international competition, and the dream of adding a new league or cup star would not come from the wider world of the Romantic Traveler. Matías Zaldivia, Leandro Fernández, and Federico Mateos joined the squad, signaling a fresh wave of intent.
_VamosLaU_— a wave of supportive posts from fans — circulated on social media as the club prepared for the new era.
Just before Christmas in 2022, Real San Joaquín, a Second Division side, handed the new Universidad de Chile a wake-up call by defeating them 2-0 in a 60-minute friendly, followed by a 10-0 result in a second 60-minute match. The first game featured a header by Cristian Palacios and a cross-shot finish from Franco Lobos, while Leandro Fernández produced a standout performance in the background game. Enzo Fernández, Jeisson Vargas, Cristian Pardo, Daniel Navarrete, and Nery Domínguez also appeared, alongside the notable debut of Fernández together with Gómez, Zaldivia, and Mateos.
Mauricio Pellegrino explained that these games served to reinforce the ideas developed during the week and to sharpen the team’s football rhythm. He described the two weeks as a comprehensive adaptation—conceptual and physical—where players began to understand the coach’s plans and the staff’s expectations. He expressed satisfaction with the talent shown by the squad and highlighted the process of building trust among the players and the coaching staff.
The second friendly against CDA resulted in a mixed outcome, with Audax Italiano securing a win in the first 70-minute match and earning a 2-2 draw in the second. The blue side managed two goals, with Leandro Fernández contributing notably to the performance list.
As 2022 closed, the team conducted a training session in front of the Universidad de Chile stadium. The session ended in a 3-2 scoreline after two 70-minute matches. Riveros put the first game in favor of the rivals with a goal, while the second concluded 2-2 thanks to strikes from Matus and Piña. The club’s supporters continued to rally behind Pellegrino and his squad with the message that strength comes from unity and focus on the pre-season goals.
With the announcement of the Coquimbo Summer Cup 2023, a series of demanding pre-season tests against strong opponents like the Pirate and the Argentine rival Scoundrel was set to take place at Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso. The campaign began to swing in the club’s direction, with a convincing pre-season performance that foreshadowed a more competitive season ahead. The calendar would open with the First Division Tournament in January, then a visit from Talleres to Santa Laura, followed by a home match against Huachipato as the season proper loomed on the horizon.
Two polls appeared in the pages of the club’s media, inviting fans to vote on which post they liked the most. The options included Real Betty, Sao Paulo, Cremonese, Ajax and Burnley, and the voting results drew attention from supporters who wanted to engage with the club’s evolving narrative. The message from the club community was clear: participation matters, and every voice could influence the social story around the season ahead.
As the fixtures came into view, Universidad de Chile prepared for a rigorous 2023 schedule, balancing domestic competitions with the challenge of building a cohesive, competitive unit under Pellegrino. The club looked to leverage the momentum of the pre-season to stabilize results, sharpen tactics, and deliver performances that could restore the club’s proud tradition of challenging for titles in Chilean football.