Universidad Católica aims to continue their winning streak in the Copa de la Liga when they visit Ñublense this Wednesday at the "Nelson Oyarzún" Stadium in Chillán, starting at 18:00 hours (21:00 GMT), in the second round of Group B. The Cruzados, led by Daniel Garnero, debuted in the tournament with a 2-1 victory against Universidad de Concepción and hope to replicate the good feelings to secure their position at the top, considering that only the group leader advances to the semifinals. Additionally, the Cruzados already defeated Ñublense in early March, also in Chillán, during the fifth round of the Primera Liga, so they will seek to maintain their level to overcome the "Diablos Rojos.
" Regarding the match against "Campanil," Garnero has prepared a change in goal, with Darío Melo taking the place of Vicente Bernedo. Captain Fernando Zampedri remains sidelined due to a lumbar issue. The UC lineup will feature Darío Melo; Daniel González, Agustín Farías, Branco Ampuero, Nicolás L'Huillier; Jhojan Valencia, Alfred Canales, Cristián Cuevas; Justo Giani, Clemente Montes, and Juan Francisco Rossel.
Ñublense, on the other hand, has gone three consecutive matches without a win in all competitions, and in the Copa de la Liga, they debuted with a draw against Cobresal in El Salvador. For Juan José "Coto" Ribera's team, the match against the Cruzados is an opportunity for revenge after the defeat suffered on March 1 in the national championship. Ñublense's possible lineup will include Hernan Muñoz; Carlos Salomon, Osvaldo Bosso, Pablo Calderón, Diego Sanhueza; Matías Plaza, Daniel Saavedra, Diego Céspedes, Manuel Rivera, Lucas Molina, and Franco Rami.
The match will be officiated by José Cabero, assisted by Manuel Marín and Cristian Cerda; the fourth official will be Víctor Abarzúa, and the VAR will be managed by Mathías Riquelme and Aldo Gómez.