Tuesday, Universidad Católica faced Santiago Morning in a friendly match. At the San Carlos de Apoquindo stadium, many players who have not had opportunities in the Copa Chile, and possibly will not have them this weekend in the first round of the Torneo de Apertura, were seen.
Among them were some recovering from injuries like Cristián Álvarez, and other young players promoted to the first team, who appeared in Mario Salas' starting eleven. They were known faces who thought they would continue their careers elsewhere, but have not been able to yet.
Alfonso Parot is the most emblematic case. 'Pocho' bid farewell to the club months ago but is still training in the foothills. The offers have not convinced him, and the possibility of Antofagasta vanished after he failed the medical exams due to a knee injury.
In the same uncertainty, Marko Biskupovic, Walter Ibañez, José Luis Muñoz, and Matías Mier are waiting. The four of them expected to finalize their move abroad in these weeks, but so far the negotiations have not yielded good results. Only Ribery would have approaches to continue his career in another Chilean club, due to Palestino's interest in hiring him.
The list of marginalized players does not end there. Matías Jadue could also join them. The forward returned after playing the previous tournament in Antofagasta, and he is fighting to stay in Mario Salas' squad this semester. The large number of tournaments that the Crusaders will compete in plays in his favor; however, the fight will be tough in an overly extensive squad.