River Plate Faces Universidad de Chile in Pre-Season Friendly

CONCEPCIÓN, Chile — River Plate and Universidad de Chile clashed in a pre-season friendly on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Estadio Municipal Alcaldesa Ester Roa Rebolledo in Concepción. The match, which kicked off at 8 p.m. local time, was streamed exclusively on Disney+ Premium, drawing attention from fans across South America.

River Plate, led by coach Marcelo Gallardo, fielded a mix of seasoned players and new signings, including Lucas Martínez Quarta and Matías Rojas. Martínez Quarta, who returned to River after a stint with Fiorentina, was a key figure in the defense. Rojas, a Paraguayan midfielder, joined the team after his time with Inter Miami. Other notable additions included Giuliano Galoppo, Enzo Pérez, and Gonzalo Tapia, though Gonzalo Montiel and Sebastián Driussi were yet to be officially confirmed.

Universidad de Chile, under the guidance of Gustavo Álvarez, featured several Argentine players, including Franco Calderón, Matías Zaldivia, and Leandro Fernández. The team aimed to build momentum after a strong domestic performance in 2024, where they narrowly missed the Primera División title but secured the Copa Chile.

The friendly marked the third meeting between the two teams in recent years. River Plate had previously defeated Universidad de Chile 3-0 in 2018 and 4-3 in 2023. This match served as a crucial preparation for both sides ahead of their respective league campaigns.

River Plate’s 2024 season saw them finish fifth in the Liga Profesional and reach the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores, where they were eliminated by Atlético Mineiro. Universidad de Chile, meanwhile, focused on domestic success, ending the year as Copa Chile champions.

The Estadio Municipal de Concepción, with a capacity of over 30,000, was packed with fans eager to see their teams in action. Despite the friendly nature of the match, both sides displayed competitive intensity, reflecting the high stakes of their upcoming seasons.