Católica´s new bid for glory

Universidad Católica have the chance to put recent disappointments behind them when they take on Huachipato in the Copa Chile tonight.

Talcahuano – The Cruzados have suffered a series of near misses in the last year. They lost the Torneo de Transición to Unión Española on goal difference, the Apertura to O´Higgins in a Super Final and the Copa Chile in the closing moments of the final against Universidad de Chile.

It was all too much for manager Martín Lasarte, who handed in his resignation after taking Católica to the brink of success so many times.

Ironically, it was Lasarte who guided Católica to the semi-finals of the current edition of the Copa Chile and they must be the favourites to win it.

They travel to the Estadio CAP for the first leg against Huachipato tonight and come up against a team that finished bottom in the Apertura and currently lie 13th in the Clausura. However, Huachipato have shown a greater goal threat under new manager Mario Salas.

Católica are fifth in the Clausura, though they have failed to win their last two matches. Back in November, they reached the Copa Chile semis by knocking out O´Higgins on penalties.

Cruzados boss Rodrigo Astudillo said: “It´s strange to play in the cup after so much time, but that is the situation and we will do everything possible to win it.”

Católica will definitely have to do without the services of striker Nicolás Castillo after his transfer to Belgian side Bruges was finalised. The Cruzados will collect $3.5million for 75 per cent of his pass, a figure a lot lower than they originally hoped for.

Meanwhile, the other semi-final first leg takes place tomorrow night when Primera B side Unión San Felipe host Deportes Iquique.

The winners of the competition earn a place in this year’s Copa Sudamericana.