Corzo’s head, Britos’ foot and the centenary claw: UnoxUno of the Universitario tie against Junior in the Copa Libertadores

Accustomed to seeing cup souvenirs in sepia, the 2024 Universitario squad is behaving up to scratch and paints its centenary year with hope. You may not like how they win in League 1, but in the Libertadores they already completed 180 minutes with order, discipline and talent to beat LDU at home (2-1) and get a golden point against Junior in Barranquilla (1-1 ).

Fabián Bustos’ experience at the international level is evident. The histrionic Argentine coach, who transforms when he is in the technical zone, made a strategic move last night that upset the scoreboard for Arturo Reyes, coach of the ‘Tiburón’ of Colombia. For those of us who have in mind how the ‘U’ has played for more than a year: Murrugarra played as Ureña and Ureña was another Pérez Guedes on the midfielder.

The ‘U’ gained weight in the middle, an area where they knew that the fight for the ball would be defined both to defend themselves and to generate danger. The silent work of Pérez Guedes was key here. Association, mobility and deployment are the best qualifiers for the cream midfielder. That’s why Junior, who had just scored three goals against Botafogo in the first 45 ‘in Brazil, saw that his plans bounced against the merengue approach.

Between the sticks and the security of the defensive line -Britos, Corzo, Riveros and Saravia-, the Colombians began to fade to the point of removing Enamorado, their most unbalanced man, and Carlos Bacca, their scorer and captain, from the field.

Did the ‘U’ tie because of their defense? It is enough to repeat the goal to give an answer. At 22′, Ureña took a free kick towards the rival area. The ball first found Riveros’ pivot, then it reached Saravia who tried a half-chalaca straight to the crossbar. Finally, Corzo put his head on the rebound and the almost 500 cream fans at the Metropolitan Roberto Meléndez shouted 1-0.

The tying goal, on the other hand, was the only opportunity that Junior managed to overcome the ‘U’ defense. Bacca received inside the area after Riveros could not cut the pass, he got rid of Britos and assisted Caicedo. The ball hit the left upright and came in asking for permission at 44′.

In the complementary game, with Bustos’ ideas becoming stronger, it was enough to make changes from men to men for the team to continue functioning. Valera and Dorregaray (for Flores and Rivera) complicated the defense and even scored a goal that the rigorous VAR annulled, Concha (for Pérez Guedes) refreshed the middle and Cabanillas (for Portocarrero) entered to close the left lane.

The final 1-1 that extends the undefeated national and international team to 238 days until today is the best prize for a fighting team that is showing that it can stand on any field to respect the Universitario shield.

The UnoxUno, this is how we saw them

Sebastián Britos (7): The ‘U’ would not be in Lima today with 4 points in Group D of the Copa Libertadores without a key intervention from the Uruguayan. At around 90′, a hesitation between Cabanillas and Saravia left the ball loose to Caicedo, who kicked with bite but with power. So, Britos did his job and put his foot down firmly to prevent Junior’s victory.

Aldo Corzo (7): Barranquilla’s climate suits him well. The city where he defeated Luis Díaz in the last Qualifiers saw him complete another outstanding performance. With a goal included, the Merengue captain teamed up with his teammates to carry out Bustos’ approach in defense.

Williams Riveros (6): The only time he failed was in Junior’s tie. Then, the Paraguayan managed to control the scorer Carlos Bacca by heaven and earth.

Marco Saravia (6): He only has starting minutes in the Copa Libertadores and with a profile that is not his, and yet he responds up to the task. It was his turn to stop Enamorado and he agreed with Portocarrero to accomplish such a mission.

Andy Polo (6): His thing is not only at the national team level or the local tournament, Andy is going through a great moment before turning 30. In an approach that had the indication of waiting in his own field, Polo made space to bring danger through the right lane. From his boots came the assist for Valera to score the 2-1 which was later annulled by the VAR for alleged handball.

Segundo Portocarrero (6): He had, at times, a separate duel with José Enamorado and came out clear. The Ecuadorian, at Bustos’ explicit request, defends better than he attacks. His physical condition is impeccable. If something has to improve, it is his crosses into the area.

Jorge Murrugarra (6): Juga de Ureña next to Ureña should make your life easier. That’s why ‘Murru’ played so well last night at the Metropolitano in Barranquilla. He cut off key attacks from the rival and made life difficult for the unbalanced Yimmi Chará so that he did not reach the cream area.

Martín Pérez Guedes (7): ‘Tincho”s display was impeccable. Through his feet the game of the ‘U’ turned in the transitions between defense and attack. He gave order and versatility to the steering wheel and understood himself in every way with Murrugarra and Ureña.

Rodrigo Ureña (7): They took away the responsibility of being the anchor in the middle and he played freely in front of Murrugarra and Portocarrero. He was also involved in the plan to disappear Enamorado from the party and he complied with it. Well done by the Chilean who, at the international level, demonstrates his entire category.

José Rivera (5): Junior’s technical command watched the summary of the match against LDU dozens of times and gave the specific indication to be on top of Tunche and not let him spin. This time he couldn’t stand out, but due to his insistence he almost caused a penalty in the opposite area.

Edison Flores (5): We would be flattering ‘Orejas’ if the header he scored in the second half had ended in a goal. It was well controlled.

Substitutes:

Alex Valera (6): Tunche’s attitude as a substitute was bought. He came in and almost nailed a shot from about 30 yards out that he hit the crossbar. Then, he scored 2-1, but referee Leandro Rey Hilfer reviewed the play on the VAR and annulled the score.

Diego Dorregaray (4): He came in to hold off the rival defense. Still in debt.

Jairo Concha (5): He played the necessary minutes to complete a good performance. With him on the field the ‘U’ was close to winning the game.