University of Sports It is very well represented in both Liga 1 and the Copa Sudamericana. The Creams have been unbeaten since Jorge Fossati took over as technical director of the team. They are second in the opening tournament and lead the South Americans’ Group G. One of the highlights was the recent win against Independiente Santa Fe Matias di Benedettoforeign reinforcement of the club for this 2023 season.
Matías Di Benedetto is Williams Riveros’ main partner in Universitario’s centre-back. The 30-year-old Argentinian defender has featured regularly this year, even if he hasn’t been to the liking of cream fans at times. However, he had a good standing in the South American Cup, and he also scored his first goal with the team. How did Di Benedetto come up with the “U”?
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Who is Matias Di Benedetto?
Matías Ezequiel Di Benedetto was born on November 19, 1992 in José Mármol, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a clear centre-back who has taken the place of Nelinho Quina. The left-hander made his professional debut in 2015 at Club Atlético Villa San Carlos in Argentina’s third division. Di Benedetto played the first four years of his career in teams promoted by the country.
He gained his first experience abroad in 2019 as a newcomer to Deportes Temuco from the Chilean second division. Although he never achieved promotion, Di Benedetto was the undisputed starter, wore the captain’s armband on several occasions and played practically every possible minute with the side in the three years he was there. In 2022 he made the big leap to first in Argentina.
Matías Di Benedetto only made his Premier League debut with Central Córdoba in 2022, aged 29. Photo: central Cordoba
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Matías Di Benedetto and his presence at the university
Matías Di Benedetto joined Universitario from Central Córdoba, a side where he didn’t always start but managed to clock up 90 minutes in the games he played. Playing in his country’s professional league and maintaining continuity is a huge credit for a footballer who has always been on the rise. The ‘U’ appreciated that experience and the Argentine established himself as a regular from day one.
So far this season, Matías Di Benedetto has played every possible game with Universitario. Only against Melgar and Boys did he miss out through suspension and he played all but two of those games. In total, he has appeared in 15 games (11 in League 1 and 4 in Sudamericana) and scored a single goal against Santa Fe. Although more has been said about Riveros, the Argentine has done a good job.
Williams Riveros and Matías Di Benedetto have been the undisputed starters at Universitario since arriving at the club. Photo: GLR
It’s not common for a team in Peru to play with two foreign centre-backs, but for the moment the Di Benedetto-Riveros duo is delivering results. Marco Saravia and Piero Guzmán, the main substitutes, have added very few minutes so far this season. The squad’s other centre-back, José Luján, has barely made the list and is yet to make his debut with the U.