The four consecutive defeats in the 2023 National Championship have deepened the crisis at Universidad de Chile, which a few weeks ago was fighting for the top of the tournament.
That's why self-criticism in the blue squad is constant, and one of those who referred to the team's tough present was midfielder Federico Mateos, who assured that in Monday's match against Curicó Unido they must start to reverse the bad streak.
"I think we're not at a great level, it's evident. The defeats reflect that, but it's time to channel all the anger we have and try to reverse it. The team is the same as the one that was fighting at the top, and it's time to correct everything we've done wrong," the midfielder expressed in a press conference.
Furthermore, he assured that the squad must support the management of coach Mauricio Pellegrino on the field: "I think we should do self-criticism ourselves. What the coach does will be seen by other people, we must try to support him, and it's evident that we didn't do it in the last match. The idea is to grow individually, as a group, to grow and support the coach on the field."
Regarding the option of hosting Curicó at the Elías Figueroa in Valparaíso, he said: "We know it's a great stadium, which is a factor. But we must focus on the football, wherever we play, and improve in the football aspect. We are a big team and we must show it on any field, without any more excuses."
Finally, when asked about the gesture of Azul Azul president Michael Clark, who left long before the match against O'Higgins ended, Mateos commented: "I don't know if it's a sign, but we must focus on the football. That's our job, because we are in debt, and minute 71 was a turning point, and we shouldn't pay attention to what happens outside. The president was with us in the concentration, had lunch with us, we felt supported, and we must focus on improving our game and results."