Photo: Luis Imana
The mood wasn’t the best at Universitario at the start of the 2023 season, but since Jorge Fossati arrived as technical director, the cream of the crop team has shown a new face that is delighting fans. Ate’s side, starting the opening tournament with Carlos Compagnucci, played five games, winning two and losing three. Based on these results, the board decided to terminate the Argentine’s contract in search of another solution.
When some thought that Universitario would not be able to recover in a short time, the Uruguayan appeared, whose work caught the eye from the first game, against Cienciano, for the Copa Sudamericana. Unlike its predecessor, Fossati has made some successful changes. The “Flaco” strengthened Piero Quispe and Luis Urruti, whom he made undisputed starters after his relegation from Compagnucci. Likewise, the Uruguayan coach chose to trust Emanuel Herrera as the team’s “9” and the “Tanque” have so far responded with four goals.
Another important point from Fossati was the support he gave to Williams Riveros. The Paraguayan centre-back was criticized for his performance in the opening days of Liga 1 but the current U coach kept him in the starting XI and today he is a wall along with Matías Di Benedetto. The “Skinny” managed to bring the chip to the campus thanks to a more humane approach. Jorge speaks to the cream players both in groups and individually, creating a greater impact on the message he is trying to convey. Since Fossati took over technical management, the Creams have played six games, winning five and drawing, but that’s not all.
Universitario hosts Atlético Grau for date 11 of the 2023 inaugural tournament. Photo: Diffusion
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Those games include the South American’s recent 1-0 win over Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata in the group stage. This result allowed the ‘U’ to become the first Peruvian club to win on Argentine soil in the history of this competition. As for the opening, “Flaco” came when Universitario was in box 10 and they are currently fighting for the top spots in the first national competition of 2023.
The Uruguayan has become the cure for a hit and miss until early March and players have not hesitated to acknowledge Fossati’s skills as a strategist. “Teacher gives us security and peace of mind. He talks to me and also to the group. The most important thing for a player is that the coach gives you confidence. Now I play freely, I’m fine. He’s asking me to help with the mark,” Quispe explained of his DT. Ate’s team will have the opportunity to get closer to the top of the local competition when they take on Atlético Grau today (18:00 CET) at the Monumental stadium.