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Club Universidad de Chile

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Universidad de Chile
Full nameClub Universidad de Chile
Nickname(s)Los Azules (The Blues)
La U (The U)
El Romántico Viajero (Wanderlust)
La Bulla (The Noise)
El Chuncho (The Owl)
León (Lion)
La Chile (The Chile)
FoundedMay 24, 1927; 97 years ago (1927-05-24)
GroundEstadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos
Capacity48,665[1]
ChairmanMichael Clark
ManagerGustavo Álvarez
LeaguePrimera División
2024Primera División, 2nd of 16
Websitehttp://www.udechile.cl

Club Universidad de Chile (Spanish pronunciation: [kluβ uniβeɾsiˈðað ðe ˈtʃile]) is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, that plays in the Primera División.

Founded on 24 May 1927, Universidad de Chile is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile, having won the league title 18 times.[2] In the last 10 years, the team has been crowned champion six times, including their undefeated run to the 2011 Copa Sudamericana title. The team has been associated with the colour blue throughout its history, blue is present on the logo, which was officially adopted in 1943. The club rivalries are with Colo-Colo and Universidad Católica, with whom they regularly contest the Santiago derbies known as Clásicos.

Despite not owning its stadium, the club usually rents and plays its home games at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, in the commune of Ñuñoa in Santiago.

Universidad de Chile was the champion of the Copa Sudamericana 2011. In this tournament, the club had an excellent performance: wasn't defeated, won all their matches in Chile and had the top scorer of the tournament's history (Eduardo Vargas). Universidad de Chile has reached semi-finals in the Copa Libertadores four times (years 1970, 1996, 2010 and 2012).

History

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The club was founded on 24 May 1927,[3] as Club Deportivo Universitario by the merger of Internado FC and Club Universitario de Deportes.[4] Initially, the club was formed by students of the Universidad de Chile and was the sport brand of the university until 1980 when the university's rector and president of the club at the time (both of them appointed by the Pinochet dictatorship) decided to separate the club from the university and created the CORFUCH to manage the football team. This move was a part of the atomization of the Universidad de Chile made by the military dictatorship to strengthen the private universities that were founded during that time and also to reduce state power. This was seen as a major blow to the club, as it was left with nothing but a loyal fan base. From then on, the club started to decline in terms of results on the field and lack of support from various sectors of the economy when other major clubs in Chile were helped by main powers such as the government, the catholic church, and Codelco. Eventually, the team's poor performances led to a relegation to second division in 1988, and threats to dissolve the club were made by the university if the team did not manage to return to the first division within a year. In 1989, Universidad de Chile were able to earn the 2nd division's championship, thus bringing them back to the first division, where they have remained since then.

Bankruptcy and Azul Azul

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In 2006, the club declared bankruptcy and received an imposed administration that was criticized by the supporters, as the new chairman immediately fired many club workers[5][6] and tried to transform the club into a private company of public stocks, being opposed to the decision of the club members in a previous assembly. The team finished the year with the worst campaign in the club history and the almost-sure transformation into private company due to the ties between the appointed chairman and several businessmen.[7]

During 2007, the imposed administration gave the club into concession to a private group (Azul Azul).[4] In 2008, the new university's rector agreed to enter a contract with the now private club, in which he allowed the use of the university's name and symbols in exchange for a royalty and the right to appoint two out of the eleven directors of the board.[7]

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Home kit and away kit

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The team's home kit from 1943 to 1958 consisted of a blue jersey, a white short and blue socks. In 1959, the home kit was changed to an all royal blue kit. In 1992 a darker tone of blue was used for the home kit and in 1996 a red stripe was added to the sleeves. The team's home kit saw its most drastic change in 2001–02 when red sleeves were included on the jersey; this kit retained the blue shorts and blue socks. In 2006, the team returned to the 1959 variation of its uniform and has not changed it since then. The current home kit features the classic red letter U on the front of the jersey.

From 1934 until 2001–02, Universidad de Chile's away kit consisted of a white jersey, shorts and socks, occasionally using blue shorts during the 1990s. In 2001–02, for the first time in the club's history a red kit was introduced; this kit consisted of a red jersey with dark blue sleeves, red shorts and red socks. In 2005, the club introduced a new all-red away kit, thereby dropping the blue sleeves in favor of red ones. The current away kit in a similar fashion to the home kit also features the red letter U on the front of the jersey.[8] Universidad de Chile wore a kit that featured the regular royal blue jersey, white shorts and royal blue socks for a game against Chivas during the 2010 Copa Libertadores. At the end of 2010 the historical all-white combination made a return as the club's alternate kit.

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

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Period Kit Manufacter Shirt Sponsor
1974–78 New Leader  —
1979 Haddad
1980–85 Adidas
1986 Ñandu
1987 Umbro
1988–89 Adidas
1990 Scania
1991 Pony International Fiat
1991 Chilectra
1992–95 Avia
1996 Diadora
1997–98 Reebok
1998  —
1998 AdeS
1999–00 Adidas[9]
2001–03 LG
2004–07 Cristal (Beer)
2008–10 Telmex[10]
2010–16 Claro/Tramontina[11]
2017–2018 Chevrolet/Movistar/Loto
2019 Petrobras/Movistar
2020–2021 Petrobras/Directv
2022 Betano/DirecTV
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The team's logo, a red and white chuncho (Austral pygmy owl), has its origins in the days of the Club Náutico Universitario which gave its emblem to the Club Universitario de Deportes (CUD), when was founded in 1927.[4] The logo was taken from Germany by Pablo Ramírez Rodríguez, who turned into a Minister of Exchequer in 1945. The chuncho was chosen for its association with wisdom, mutual knowledge, harmony of the body and soul.[12]

The team's logo is not usually found on the team's uniform, being favored in turn by a red letter U with a white trim. The chuncho logo was absent from the team's jersey starting in 1979, but made a return during the 1996–97 season. Since 2006–07, a small chuncho logo could be found on the jersey along with the red U.[13]

Achievements

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Universidad de Chile's first title was won in 1940, just 3 years after their professional debut. The team won six titles (1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969) between 1959 and 1969 and they became known as the Blue Ballet in reference the beautiful style of football they played. Nine members of that squad were part of the Chilean national team that reached 3rd place in the 1962 FIFA World Cup, the best result ever achieved by Chile in a World Cup.[4]

In 1995, Universidad de Chile won the cup once more, this time at home in front of almost 78,000 people in the Estadio Nacional. The team would then win back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000.[4]

More recently Universidad de Chile has won the Apertura in 2004, 2009, 2011 and 2014/2015, and Clausura in 2011 and 2016/2017. The 2011, the title was won at the hands of defending champions Universidad Católica, by a global score of 4–3, having lost the first leg of the final 2–0 and needing to win by a 3-goal margin, the team managed to win the second leg by a 4–1 score.[4]

On the international stage Universidad de Chile have had a few of good runs in Copa Libertadores, reaching the semi-finals in 1970, 1996, 2010, and 2012.[4]

On 14 December 2011, they defeated Liga De Quito from Ecuador 3–0 (4–0 on aggregate) to win the Copa Sudamericana, becoming the third Chilean team to win a South American tournament, behind Colo-Colo's 1991 Copa Libertadores and Universidad Catolica's 1994 Copa Interamericana. In the tournament, the club had an excellent performance (undefeated, and winning all their matches in Chile), and was nicknamed the "South America's FC Barcelona".[14]

Also, the team was named the most successful chilean club of the 2010s, by winning a total of 9 titles in the whole decade. The achievement included 5 Primera División titles (2011 Apertura, 2011 Clausura, 2012 Apertura, 2014 Apertura and 2017 Clausura), 2 Copa Chile titles (2012–13 and 2015), the 2015 Supercopa and the 2011 Copa Sudamericana.[15][16]

Records

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Leonel Sánchez is still popular among the fans.
  • Record Primera División victory — 9–1 v. Magallanes (1962)
  • Record Primera División defeat — 0–6 v. Colo-Colo (1938)
  • Record Copa Chile victory — 10-0 v. Chimbarongo FC (2023)
  • Most goals scored in Primera División — 184 Carlos Campos (1956–69)
  • Most Primera División appearances — 386 Leonel Sánchez (1953–69)
  • Most appearances overall — 539 Luis Musrri (1988–04)
  • Record Unbeaten Matches in Primera Division (National Record) — 33 (1999)
  • Record Straight Wins in Primera Division (National Record) — 16 (1963–64)
  • Record Best Start in Primera Division (National Record) 9 straight wins (2011)
  • Highest attendance in Primera Division (National Record) — 85,268 v. Universidad Catolica (29 December 1962)

Honours

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National

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International

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Regional

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  • Copa Unión de la Primera División de la Asociación de Football de Santiago
    • Winners (1): 1923
  • Copa Chile de la Primera División de la Asociación de Football de Santiago 
    • Winners (3): 1918, 1921, 1923
  • Sección Uruguay de la Copa Chile de la Primera División de la Asociación de Football de Santiago
    • Winners (1): 1923
  • Serie B de la Copa Unión de la Asociación de Football de Santiago
    • Winners (2): 1916, 1917
  • Copa Independencia de la Segunda División de la Asociación de Football de Santiago
    • Winners (2): Serie B 1916, Serie B 1917
  • Copa El Diario Ilustrado del Campeonato Atlético de la Asociación de Football de Santiago
    • Winners (1): 1916
  • División de Honor de la Sección Amateur de la Asociación de Football de Santiago
    • Winners (1): 1934
  • Torneo Metropolitano de Chile
    • Winners (2): 1968, 1969

Supporters and rivalries

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Main article: Los de Abajo

Universidad de Chile is the second largest following club in the country, with appromiximately 21% of the total Chilean football fans according to research and surveys from 2018, published in September 2021 by Spanish newspaper agency AS.com.[17]

Created on March 24, 1988 from the split and subsequent re-foundation of the Imperio Azul barra, it occupies the south gallery of the Estadio Nacional where the team plays its home games. Its name is inspired by the initial location (below) of the young members of the former barra. It is considered one of the biggest barras in football, in Chile it is known as "La Número Uno" (Number One), as well as having great recognition in Latin-America. They feud with other barra brava groups, most notably Garra Blanca of Colo-Colo and Los Cruzados of Universidad Católica.

Chilean Superclásico

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Main article: Chilean Superclásico

Universidad de Chile's traditional rival is Colo-Colo, against which it plays the so-called Chilean Classic or Chilean Superclásico. Although the first confrontation between the two clubs dates back to 1935, the rivalry began to develop in the 1940s and 1950s, with the match played on 11 November 1959 being the climax of a series of disagreements between the two institutions. That match, valid for the definition of that year's title, ended with a 2-1 victory for Universidad de Chile, which was the first of a series of good results for the "Azules" over Colo-Colo. This, added to the dominance of Universidad de Chile in the national championship, only increased the rivalry. In recent years the rivalry between these teams has diminished, leaving Colo-Colo as superior to Universidad de Chile, and because of that, it has been considered as the "most unequal rivalry in the world."

Clásico Universitario

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Main article: Clásico Universitario

There is often a rivalry between the two clubs from academic roots, where the game between Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica is known as "Clásico Universitario". It is the oldest confrontation between two clubs from academic roots, as the first confrontation goes back to the University Classic of 1909. Rivalry, both in sports and in academic issues, made these matches between the universities become more and more important, eventually reaching the national status of "Universities' Derby".

This clásico has been recognized by FIFA as the most traditional of Chile. They met for the first time on 13 June 1937 in matchday three of the first Serie B at the Estadio Militar. These two teams have played 21 head-to-head definitions against each other, Universidad Católica has won 14 and Universidad de Chile 7.

Players

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For a list of all former and current Universidad de Chile players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:Club Universidad de Chile footballers.

Current Squad

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As of 14 September 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Chile CHI Cristopher Toselli
2 DF Argentina ARG Franco Calderón
3 DF Chile CHI Ignacio Tapia
4 DF Chile CHI José Castro
5 MF Argentina ARG Emmanuel Ojeda
7 FW Chile CHI Maximiliano Guerrero
8 MF Chile CHI Israel Poblete
9 FW Argentina ARG Leandro Fernández
10 FW Chile CHI Lucas Assadi
11 FW Chile CHI Nicolás Guerra
12 GK Chile CHI Pedro Garrido
13 DF Chile CHI David Retamal
14 DF Chile CHI Marcelo Morales
15 DF Argentina ARG Juan Pablo Gómez
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 MF Chile CHI Matías Sepúlveda
17 DF Chile CHI Fabián Hormazábal
18 FW Argentina ARG Luciano Pons
19 FW Chile CHI Cristóbal Muñoz
20 MF Argentina ARG Federico Mateos
21 MF Chile CHI Marcelo Díaz (captain)
22 DF Chile CHI Matías Zaldivia
23 MF Chile CHI Ignacio Vásquez
24 MF Chile CHI Antonio Díaz
25 GK Chile CHI Gabriel Castellón
26 DF Uruguay URU Fabricio Formiliano
29 MF Chile CHI Charles Aránguiz
30 FW Uruguay URU Cristian Palacios

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Chile CHI Jeison Fuentealba (on loan to Universidad de Concepción until 31 December 2024)
— DF Chile CHI Bastian Tapia (on loan to Cobreloa until 31 December 2024)
— MF Chile CHI Renato Cordero (on loan to Universidad de Concepción until 31 December 2024)
— FW Chile CHI Renato Huerta (on loan to Union La Calera until 31 December 2024)
— MF Chile CHI Mauricio Morales (on loan to Union La Calera until 31 December 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW Chile CHI Cristian Pardo (on loan to Barnechea until 31 December 2024)
— DF Chile CHI Daniel Navarrete (on loan to Barnechea until 31 December 2024)
— MF Chile CHI Enzo Fernández (on loan to Deportes Santa Cruz until 31 December 2024)
— DF Chile CHI José Matías Fernández (on loan to Deportes Santa Cruz until 31 December 2024)

Player records

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Individual honours

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Primera Division top scorers

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Copa Chile top scorers

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Copa Sudamericana top scorers

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Chilean Footballer of the Year

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Primera División Footballer of the Year

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America's ideal team

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Most appearances

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# Name Matches
1 Chile Luis Musrri 539
2 Chile Johnny Herrera 497
3 Chile José Rojas 471
4 Chile Vladimir Bigorra 468
5 Chile Héctor Hoffens 451
6 Chile Manuel Pellegrini 435
7 Chile Jorge Socías 429
8 Chile Sergio Vargas 428
9 Chile Leonel Sánchez 412
10 Chile Braulio Musso 390

Top scorers

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# Name Goals
1 Chile Carlos Campos 199
2 Chile Leonel Sánchez 167
3 Chile Pedro González 121
4 Chile Marcelo Salas 113
5 Chile Rubén Marcos 110
6 Chile Jorge Socías 102
7 Argentina Diego Rivarola 101
8 Chile Pedro Araya 90
9 Chile Braulio Musso 83
10 Chile Ernesto Álvarez 83

Managers

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Current coaching staff

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Position Name
Manager Chile Sebastián Miranda
Assistant Manager Chile Nilton Sepúlveda
Fitness Coach Chile Ignacio Fabres
Goalkeeping Coach Chile Carlos Arias

List of managers

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Average home attendances of Universidad de Chile

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2016–17 Clausura: 33,466
2016–17 Apertura: 30,041
2015–16 Clausura: 19,641
2015–16 Apertura: 12,901

[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Inauguran remodelado Estadio Nacional
  2. ^ Juan Pablo Andrés and Eric Boesenberg. "Chile – List of Champions and Runners Up" (Rec.Sport.Football Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) ed.). Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Chile's university challenge". FIFA. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Azul Azul S.A. (April 2017). 90 AÑOS 1927 – 2017 MÁS QUE UNA PASIÓN (PDF) (in Spanish) (1 ed.). Santiago, Chile: Ediciones Babieca. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  5. ^ Valenzuela Espinoza, Carolina (26 May 2006). "Corte de Apelaciones declara la quiebra de Universidad de Chile". Emol (in Spanish). El Mercurio. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Universidad de Chile en quiebra y al borde del colapso". Mediotiempo (in Spanish). 19 July 2006. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b Espinoza Chacoff, Diego (2014). La era de las Sociedades Anónimas en la "U": ¿Una época que reencantó al pueblo azul? (PDF) (in Spanish) (1 ed.). Santiago, Chile: University of Chile. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  8. ^ Switch, Image (17 October 2009). "Universidad de Chile 2009/10 team kits". Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  9. ^ "U. De Chile renovó millonario contrato con Adidas hasta el 2021 - Cooperativa.cl". Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Ferplei » Universidad de Chile dejará de tener a Telmex en su camiseta". Archived from the original on 27 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Universidad de Chile renueva auspicio con Claro por 153 mil UF | Deportes | LA TERCERA". Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  12. ^ Scaff, Patricio. "Sports' origin in Universidad de Chile and the "chuncho" in the club's history". Universidad de Chile. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  13. ^ Romántico Viajero. "Camisetas años 2000". Romántico Viajero. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  14. ^ Francis Fields. "Brazilian media praise visiting Universidad de Chile as "South America's Barcelona team"" (Footballanchor ed.). Retrieved 23 November 2011.[dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Completamente azul: Nos consagramos como el equipo chileno con más títulos de la década" [Completely blue: We were crowned as the chilean team with most titles in the decade]. Club Universidad de Chile (in Spanish). 31 December 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Universidad de Chile se consagró como el equipo nacional más ganador de la década" [Universidad de Chile is crowned as the biggest national team of the decade]. DAZN (in Spanish). 1 January 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  17. ^ "U. de Chile - Colo Colo: ¿Qué equipo tiene más hinchas en Chile?". Diario AS (in Spanish). 24 September 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Primera División 2016/2017 Clausura – Attendance". 22 December 2018.
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