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Although they don't come with the support of a historic name in Chilean football, Curicó Unido and Ñublense, upcoming opponents of Universitario de Deportes in friendly matches, have shown to be among the best in the current state of the southern country's football. In fact, both teams are in the Copa Libertadores. Undoubtedly, two great tests for Carlos Compagnucci's team.
These clubs were only surpassed by Colo Colo in the general table, but left behind historical clubs such as Universidad Católica and Universidad de Chile, reason enough for Carlos Compagnucci's team to take the necessary precautions when facing them.
However, this is not the only striking aspect of the opponents that Universitario de Deportes will have, since both Curicó Unido and Ñublense have former players from Sporting Cristal and Alianza Lima in their respective squads.
And the 'Albirrojos' confirmed, a few days ago, the incorporation of Omar Merlo into their main squad. The former Celeste defender arrived as one of the most experienced defensive options for the team and could be taken into account to have minutes against the students, this Friday.
On the side of the 'Diablos Rojos', Patricio Rubio appears as one of the 'known' players that Universitario de Deportes will have, taking into account the Chilean striker's past with Alianza Lima in 2020. With eight goals in the recent competition, the forward hopes to 'score' against the 'cremas' and extend his scoring streak with Chillán's side.
The challenge for Universitario
Universitario de Deportes attempts to break a 10-year streak without winning the Peruvian football title, so the main squad works hard to fine-tune the details and arrive in the best possible way for the start of Liga 1, which will put them face to face with Cienciano, at the colosseum of Ate.
Regarding the classic, merengues and íntimos will face each other in the 5th round of the Torneo Apertura. Although the exact date and time of the match are not yet established, we know that Carlos Compagnucci's team will be the home team at the Monumental stadium.
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