Amid complaints from its fans about the lack of big-name reinforcements and a rival that matches its presentation and the importance of its 100-year institutional existence, the Universitario de Deportes premiered in 2024, playing its first friendly match in the warm city of Trujillo before the Cesar Vallejo University by Roberto Mosquera.
As expected, coach Fabián Bustos did not take any risks and fielded in the Mansiche field the same team that defeated Alianza Lima in the second final of Matute, with the exception of Piero Quispe and José Carvallo, of course. Firstly, because he moved to Pumas de México and secondly because he moved to the rival he faced tonight. Their places were taken by Horacio Calcaterra j Sebastian Britos.
Having barely been in charge of Universitario for more than a week, the Argentine did the simple thing and decided, in their first meeting, to respect both the formation and the idea of the game Jorge Fossati I left Champion. However, major differences have been identified between both directions and things certainly need to improve if the Cream City is not to be left in the lurch as it celebrates its 100th birthday.
The Merengues confronted the poets in their performance. Photo: University
Horacio Calcaterra is not Piero Quispe
One of the most important changes in this university was the inclusion of Calcaterra due to the absence of the best footballer of the 2023 season. Although at that time “Calca” was responsible for getting his teammates to play, he filtered passes and even scored great goals With the Over time it wore off and became more intrusive than empowering.
With that in mind, the “U” had serious trouble playing football against Vallejo at Poet Night, as the only additions they had were the result of a single by Alex Valera and a mistake by José Carvallo. If Horacio doesn't improve this year, it will be a big problem for Universitario, and it is in this position that many fans insist that “Canchita” Gonzales or Jairo Concha should be signed.
The Calcaterra schedule for the 2023 season has arrived in the “U”. Photo. academic
The pressure wasn't the same for Fossati
If there was something that characterized the “U” of Jorge Fossati It was that the strikers forced the defenders to leave, Rodrigo Ureña and Martín Pérez Guedes joined this plan and also forced the rivals to leave. As a result, they created consistent scoring chances in all games played.
Although it is true that this time the team is just coming out of pre-season, the legs are hard and fading, the pressure was only effective in the first 20 minutes when they only had the option of Alex Valera. Roberto Mosquera's team then took control of the ball and began attacking the Creams at their own pace.
Finally, it is true that this is a first friendly match and the season has just started, but Fabián Bustos' Universitario is still immature and must let go to harm his rivals, otherwise they will do very badly, both in the local tournament also internationally. In addition, at least three or two more new signings would need to be made to strengthen the midfield and attacking line.