Chivas Try But Can’t Hold Off La U.

The first half was alright. A little boring and neither team wanting to take many chances. U de Chile played tentatively but was able to dictate the pace for some time in the first half. The second half picked up, especially after the first goal. And then it was all Chivas with a sprinkling of U de Chile action in there.

The Chileans played an almost counter attacking formation where they gave up the ball repeatedly. They were unable to put together enough plays that allowed them to hold onto the ball so possession was fleeting for them and got more fleeting as the match went on.

U de Chile defended well and the defenders were able to cover for each other when mistakes were made, even inside the penalty area. It also helped that their keeper Miguel Pinto was having a monster night saving his team on several occasions especially off point blank chances for Chivas.

Chivas, on the other hand, kept possession of the ball and found themselves with plenty of space that allowed them to get to the penalty area with relative ease and seemingly as often as they wanted. As the match went on, they found more and more of that space and more and more opportunities.

They were able to post up Adolfo Bautista in the center of their attack and with the streaking Omars (Arellano and Bravo) Chivas must have had almost six clear shots on goal in the second half alone. The match up of the night was Omar Bravo vs. the entire U de Chile defense and keeper. He ran all over the place and found the ball in the penalty area with ease. Bautista was able to hold the ball and impressed me with his dribbling abilities while his teammates found their own space for a pass.

Overall, a fun match to watch with plenty of attacking and offensive play but not a match to take defensive notes from. Both defenses allowed their opponents far too much space in the 18 yard box which cost each team a goal.

But in the end, U de Chile squeaked out a 1-1 draw with a very valuable away goal that could have them with one foot in the final. I had this one going 2-1 to the home side but really, Chivas should have knocked one more in after all the opportunities they pissed away.

Look for the return match that will take place in U de Chile’s Estadio Santa Laura in Santiago, Chile next week on Tuesday, August the 3rd.

Category: Tournament News