U saw its debut in the Opening Tournament

Very different from what happened in Copa Chile, U saw itself greatly surpassed in its debut in the Opening Tournament and the team is well aware of this. In fact, midfielder Guzmán Pereira was self-critical of his team's performance last weekend.

"The expectations we generated in Copa Chile, where we were doing well and undefeated, were somewhat cut short with the draw. The fans had seen a U team that we did not show against Antofagasta," said the Uruguayan in a press conference on Tuesday.

Do the numerous defensive absences affect the team? "In Copa Chile we also did not have several of those players. The issue is not making the same mistakes we made against Antofagasta," he explained in relation to the sidelined defenders (Magalhaes, Rojas, Rodríguez, Vidal, Ortiz).

The Uruguayan national team player went further and referred to the rule that has been in effect in Chilean football since this semester: All the youth players of the club must accumulate at least half of the competitive minutes.

"The issue of the U-20 players is complicated. I believe, for example, that Diego (González) is capable of competing for a position, but it complicates things considering how the matches go and you have to take the risk of putting a youth player. Unfortunately, we have to live with that rule and work with it," he said.

The former Montevideo Wanderers player also had words for the two rival teams and the reinforcements that have arrived at those clubs: "I haven't seen much of Católica, but I have seen Colo Colo. At first, it was difficult for everyone and the new players have shown that they are capable of defending those jerseys, with the responsibility of performing day by day," he said.

Finally, Pereira commented on the health situation of John Salas, another young blue player promoted to the first team who is hospitalized due to kidney failure and explained that "the last thing we were told is that he was receiving antibiotics and the infection was gradually disappearing. The good thing is that we know he is making progress."