As the National Championship draws to a close, stumbling is not allowed. And Colo Colo did not fail. On a very cold day in the capital, the newly minted quarterfinalist of the Copa Libertadores warmed up the atmosphere at the Monumental with an important victory over Ñublense by 2-1, continuing the hunt for the leader.
Although they have a pending match against Huachipato (which has yet to be scheduled), the victory of U over Unión Española left no room for action for Jorge Almirón’s players, who are in full pursuit of the tournament leader (and their arch-rival, moreover). Given the intense hustle the squad is experiencing, which will not cease between the league tournament, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Chile, the former Boca coach has to manage and move pieces.
Against the Diablos Rojos, Lucas Soto started (the departure of Damián Pizarro left the white team with an issue regarding Sub 21 minutes) and Carlos Palacios returned after missing the match against Everton.
Ñublense, led by Mario Salas, arrived at Pedrero after four matches without losing and came out boldly, competing for the match against Colo Colo. The reward for that attitude was that they took the lead before the quarter-hour mark. In the 14th minute, Patricio Rubio scored 1-0 for the team from Chillán, perfectly capturing a clearance from Brayan Cortés after a shot from Gabriel Graciani. Surprise in Macul.
Colo Colo improved as the match progressed. During the first half, they lacked surprise from midfield upwards. Not having wingers, the task of generating play fell to Palacios, who positioned himself behind Correa and Paiva. Defending high, with three men at the back (as Esteban Pavez was playing as a libero), they were exposed to counterattacks. For about 30 minutes, Colo Colo struggled to find their flow.
But the turning point came with the penalty awarded by referee Reiniero Alvarado for the foul by Bosso against Paraguayan Paiva. Palacios took the penalty and made it 1-1. The former Vasco da Gama, who remains at the club after flirting with Boca Juniors, went to embrace Almirón after the goal. The equalizer was the necessary click for the white team to activate their game, stringing together more passes and gaining greater control of the actions, which continued into the second half.
The entry of Leo Gil for the booked Soto reorganized Colo Colo, leaving a line of four at the back and Pavez in the midfield axis. If it weren’t for the performance of Nicola Pérez, the home team would have found the imbalance earlier. In less than five minutes, the whites had a couple of clear chances, with a header from Correa and a shot from Gil, both saved by the Uruguayan goalkeeper of Ñublense.
The release came in the 56th minute, with a goal from Erick Wiemberg, via a left-footed shot after an assist from Palacios. The number 7 of the whites did what is expected from a ‘creator’ and set up the opportunity for the former La Calera player to score.
With their weapons, the Diablos Rojos moved pieces and sought the equalizer, while the Colo Colo players aimed to slow down the pace in the final stretch and attempt a counterattack. The result was close but equally effective for the popular team, who continues to breathe down the neck of U. They reached 42 points, four behind the top (with the asterisk of the pending match against Huachipato). As the calendar does not give the whites much rest, the trip to Calama is next.
Colo Colo: B. Cortés; E. Amor, E. Pavez, M. Falcón; M. Isla (87′, O. Opazo), L. Soto (46′, L. Gil), V. Pizarro (74′, C. Zavala), E. Wiemberg; C. Palacios (87′, R. González); G. Paiva (62′, L. Cepeda) and J. Correa. DT: J. Almirón.
Ñublense: N. Pérez; B. Cerezo (62′, C. Labrín), O. Bosso, R. Caroca, F. Yáñez (79′, I. Rozas); M. Rivera, L. Reyes, G. Graciani (71′, P. Sánchez); B. Oyarzo (61′, M. Plaza), P. Rubio and I. Sosa (79′, P. Bonacci). DT: M. Salas.
Goals: 0-1, 14′, Rubio, shot on the first touch after a clearance from Cortés; 1-1, 31′, Palacios, from the penalty spot; 2-1, 56′, Wiemberg, with a left-footed shot.
Referee: R. Alvarado. Booked Soto, Falcón, Gil, Amor (CC); Rubio, Oyarzo and DT Salas (Ñ).
Monumental Stadium. 22,430 attendees.
In italics, youth players.
