 | ||||
| Full name | Club Deportivo Universidad Católica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Cruzados UC La Franja | |||
| Founded | 21 April 1937; 87 years ago (1937-04-21) | |||
| Ground | Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo | |||
| Capacity | 20,000[1] | |||
| Chairman | Juan Tagle | |||
| Manager | Tiago Nunes | |||
| League | Campeonato Nacional | |||
| 2024 | Primera División, 5th of 16 | |||
| Website | www | |||
 Current season | ||||
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, known asUniversidad Católica, is a professionalfootball club based inSantiago,Chile. Founded in 1937 they play in thePrimera División, the top flight ofChilean football. The team has played its home games atEstadio San Carlos de Apoquindo since 1988.
Universidad Católica has won the third most league championships at a national level. In domestic football, the club has won 28 trophies; a record 16Primera División de Chile titles, 2Segunda División de Chile, 4Copa Chile, 4Supercopa de Chile, a Copa Apertura, aCopa República. In international competitions, Universidad Católica have won 1 trophies;Copa Interamericana (1994).
In1993, Universidad Católica was the runner-up in the most important international tournament in South America: theCopa Libertadores de América, losing in the finals against the defending Libertadores' ChampionSão Paulo. Universidad Católica has reached the semi-finals in theCopa Libertadores four times (years1962,1966,1969 and1984).
The club's most successful player isJosé Pedro Fuenzalida with eleven titles, and the player with most appearances isMario Lepe with 639 games. Its traditional rival isUniversidad de Chile, they contest theClásico Universitario.
While the club was born as one of the many sport branches of theUniversidad Católica de Chile, officially founded in 1937, it began, strictly speaking, around 1910, when students of the university would reunite to play football matches, frequently facing historical rivalUniversidad de Chile.[2] In time, the idea of creating a professional club emerged, and on 21 April 1937,[3] the club officially and legally began. It made its professional debut, in the second division, against theUniversidad de Chile. Universidad Católica won its first League title in the 1949 season.[4]
In December 1956, Universidad Católica was placed at the bottom of theleague table and relegated to Segunda División for the first time in its history.[5] On 10 November 1956, Universidad Católica won theSegunda División title after defeatingDeportes La Serena by 3–2 and gained promotion straight back up to the top division, with captainSergio Livingstone andRaimundo Infante claiming the top scorer award.[6] In the 1970s, Universidad Católica was facing an institutional, the team ended the1973 Primera División tournament at the bottom of the table,[7] Universidad Católica was relegated toSegunda División for the second time in its history.[8] In 1975, Universidad Católica won thetitle and therefore returned to Primera División to play the 1976 season.[9][10]
In 1993, Universidad Católica reached their first everCopa Libertadores final.[11] The team had previously eliminated clubsAtlético Nacional (2–0, 1–2 in round of 16),Barcelona (3–1, 1–1 in quarterfinals) andAmérica de Cali (1-0, 2–2 in semifinals).[12] In thefinals, between the two legs after a heavy defeat away la Catolica won the second leg but lostSão Paulo the title on aggregate 5–3.[13] WithManuel Pellegrini as manager, on 1 November 1994, after beatingSaprissa 5–1 atSan Carlos de Apoquindo with goals byAndrés Romero,Alberto Acosta,Juvenal Olmos,Miguel Ardiman andRodrigo Barrera, Universidad Católica became the second Chilean team to win aCopa Interamericana,[14] they also achieved the 1995 Copa Chile title.[15]
In 1997 the club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a friendly tournament where they beatAjax Amsterdam 3–2 in the Copa 60º Aniversario de Universidad Católica.[16]
Universidad Católica won the title2002 Primera División (Apertura) after beatingRangers de Talca 4–0 in final atSan Carlos de Apoquindo, withJuvenal Olmos as manager.[17] In 2005 the club has been reemerged in international competition, advancing to the2005 Copa Sudamericana semifinal before being knocked out by the powerfulBoca Juniors from Argentina, who would go on to win the tournament.[18] On 22 December, Universidad Católica won their nineChilean Primera División (Clausura) title, after beatingUniversidad de Chile's in a penalty shootout atEstadio Nacional.[19] In 2006 the team made a good presentation in theCopa Libertadores, but was eliminated at the last minute byTigres UANL of Mexico and failed to advance beyond the group stage.[20]
Católica again played2008 Copa Libertadores with no luck, being eliminated in the group stage by goal difference byRiver Plate andAmérica.[21] In2010 Copa Libertadores, their performance was no better, finishing third in group stage behindUniversidad de Chile andFlamengo.[22] In the 2010 season a 3–2 defeat toColo Colo in October gave Colo Colo a seven-point lead in the league with seven match of the season remaining.[23] A victory overCobreloa 3–2 atEstadio Municipal de Calama, put them one point away from their first title since 2005.[24] In the last match, Universidad Católica defeatedEverton 5–0 to secure the club's ten ChileanPrimera Division title and end a five-year trophy drought.[25]
In the 2011 season they finished in second place inChilean Primera División.[26] They also reached the2011 Copa Chile final where they facedDeportes Magallanes.[27] Universidad Católica won 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 1–1.[27] In2011 Copa Libertadores, Católica finished first on the group stage, and then advanced to the quarter-finals, knocking outGrêmio of Brazil on the best 16 round,[28] and falling toPeñarol of Uruguay 2–0 in Montevideo and winning their home match 2–1, which was not enough to advance.[29] In 2012 the club again playedCopa Libertadores, under coach and former playerMario Lepe, finished last on the group stage, winning only 1 home game and losing on their away games in Colombia and Bolivia.[30] InCopa Sudamericana 2012, Universidad Católica advancing to the semifinal before being knocked out by the powerfulSão Paulo from Brazil,[31] who would go on to win the tournament.[32]
On April 30, 2016, Universidad Católica won thePrimera Division Clausura title in 2016 for the first time in six years.[33] Universidad Católica won the title on the last matchday after beatingAudax Italiano 2–1.[34] On 15 September 2016, the club won theSupercopa de Chile for a first time defeatingUniversidad de Chile 2–1 in the final.[35] After, Universidad Católica won thePrimera Division Apertura, the title was won on 8 December, where Universidad Católica facedDeportes Temuco atGermán Becker. Two goals in the last half-hour secured Universidad Católica a 2–0,[36] withMario Salas leading the team towards its first Bicampeonato for winning two national titles in a row.[37]
WithBeñat San José as manager, Universidad Católica won the title 2018 on the last matchday after beatingDeportes Temuco 2–1.[39] In 2019, withGustavo Quinteros Universidad Católica won their 2thSupercopa de Chile[40] and won a second consecutivePrimera División title.[41] Due to the2019 Chilean protests, the competition was suspended since mid-October with six matchdays still left.[42] On 29 November 2019,ANFP's Council of Presidents voted to conclude the season.[43][44] The title was the 14th official league in the club's history.[45] In the 2010s, Universidad Católica won five league championships, aCopa Chile and twoChilean Supercups.[46]
On 14 February 2020, withAriel Holan Universidad Católica secured their third consecutivePrimera División title,[47] they also achieved the semi-finals ofCopa Chile.[48] Days after winning the title, Holan announced his resignation as Universidad Católica[49] and in March, Gustavo Poyet was appointed coach, signing a two-year contract,[50] and Universidad Católica won their 3rdSupercopa de Chile.[51] In2021 Copa Libertadores, Católica finished second on the group stage,[52] and then advanced to the round of 16, before being knocked out by thePalmeiras from Brazil,[53] who would go on to win the tournament.[54] On 30 August 2021,Gustavo Poyet was sacked from his managerial position,[55] one day afterCristian Paulucci was announced as the new coach.[56] On 20 January 2021, Universidad Católica won their fourSupercopa de Chile title, after beatingÑublense's in a penalty shootout.[57] On 4 December 2021, Universidad Católica were confirmed2021 Primera División champions, reaching four consecutive league titles.[58][59]
Its officialfight song is theHymn of the Sports Club of the Catholic University, based on the songTramp! Tramp! Tramp!.[60][61]
The first crest had a design consisting of an interlacing of two initials of the club, "UC", in dark blue on a white shirt.
| Period | Kit manufacturer[62] | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1976-1978 | In-House | Financiera Cash |
| 1978 - 1980 | Haddad | |
| 1981 | New Leader | |
| 1981 - 1982 | Adidas | AFP San Cristóbal |
| 1982 - 1985 | ||
| 1986 - 1989 | Pan Am[63] | |
| 1989 | Puma | |
| 1990 - 1991 | Ladeco[63] | |
| 1992 - 1995 | Diadora | Samsung |
| 1996 | Lotto Sport Italia | |
| 1997 | Parmalat | |
| 1998 - 1999 | Reebok | |
| 2000 - 2001 | BankBoston | |
| 2002 | Nike | |
| 2003 - 2008 | Cristal[64] | |
| 2008 - 2011 | Puma[65] | |
| 2012 - 2014 | DirecTV[66] | |
| 2015 - 2017 | Umbro[67] | |
| 2018 | Under Armour[68] | |
| 2020 - 2023 | BICE[69] | |
| 2024 - | Puma |
 | |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
|---|---|
| Field size | 106 m × 72 m (348 ft × 236 ft) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 4 September 1988 |
| Architect | Esteban Barbieri |
Universidad Católica has owned four stadiums:Estadio Universidad Católica, located in the Maestranza and Marcoleta sector;Campos de Sports de Ñuñoa, which already had an extensive history in Chilean sports; Independencia, located in the homonymous commune ofSantiago and inaugurated on October 12, 1945; andSan Carlos de Apoquindo.[70]
After moving between grounds, the team moved to the Independencia Stadium in 1945, which remained its home ground for 26 years and which was demolished because of the financial problems of the club, and started to play atUnión Española Stadium, theSanta Laura. After that, Universidad Católica moved its home matches toSan Carlos de Apoquindo, which was inaugurated on 4 September 1988 with a match againstRiver Plate.[71][72]
The Universidad Católica has attained fame as a favorite of the higher classes, because of many factors, which range from the location of the club's stadium, San Carlos de Apoquindo (in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of the capital) and Headquarters, although there are "UC" fans all around the country, including popular regions or towns.
Due to the neighborhood's strong influence (wealthy families), the club has been unable to be approved for projects to enlarge the stadium and thus draw larger crowds. Only until in recent years the club was allowed by the commune of Las Condes, to host their clasicos matches againstUniversidad de Chile andColo-Colo in their own stadium. Although just a limited number of its rivals' supporters are allowed to be present at these matches due to security reasons inside the stadium and around its high-end neighborhood.[73]
Mario Lepe holds the record for most Universidad Católica appearances, having played 639 first-team matches (76 matches for Copa Libertadores de América) from 1982 to 2000. Andrés Romero comes second with 484 appearances. José María Buljubasich is Universidad Católica's all-least beaten goalkeeper, with 1352 minutes (4th on IFFHS ranking).[74]
Universidad Católica's all-time highest goalscorer in official competitions is Rodrigo Barrera with 118 goals,[75] surpassingRaimundo Infante's 113 goals in 2002.[76] Four other players have also scored over 100 goals for Universidad Católica:Alberto Fouillioux (1957-1975),[77]Néstor Isella (1963-1970),[77]Osvaldo Hurtado (1980-1988t)[77] and the previous goalscoring record-holderRaimundo Infante (1941-1956).[76]Infante being Universidad Católica's top goalscorer of all time in La Liga history with 103 goals.
TheIFFHS ranked the team in 8th place in 2012.[78] The club has reached notoriety, both in a national and South American level, as the owner of one of the best infrastructures and training centers in the continent. As such, it is a good source of young talents, which occasionally rise to stardom in the club. Its most recent youth academy produced player known worldwide isGary Medel, currently playing for Italian sideBologna FC, among other clubs such as Boca Juniors, Sevilla and Internazionale, as well as playing a big role in Chile's 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads.
Officially, the highest attendance figure for a Universidad Católica match is 77,890, which was for a Primera División match atEstadio Nacional on 11 January 1967. Universad Católica has also set records in Chilean football, most notably the most seasons won in a row (four, during 2018–2021).[79]
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Universidad Católica is the third club with the largest following in Chile, with approximately 13% of the total Chilean football fans according to research published in 2006 by Fundación Futuro, according by Spanish newspaper agencyMarca in 2012 have approximately 9%[80] and according by Adimark in 2018, have a 7% of the total Chilean football fans.[81]
There is often a rivalry between the two clubs from academic roots, where the game between Universidad Católica andUniversidad de Chile 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.[3] 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".[2]
Thisclásico has been recognized by FIFA as the most traditional of Chile.[82] They met for the first time on 13 June 1937 in matchday three of the firstSerie B at the Estadio Militar.[2] These two teams have played twenty championship definitions against each other, Universidad Católica has won fourteen and Universidad de Chile six.[83]
| Type | Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | Primera División | 16 | 1949,1954,1961,1966,1984,1987,1997-A,2002-A,2005-C,2010,2016-C,2016-A,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
| Segunda División | 2 | 1956,1975 | |
| Copa Chile | 4 | 1983,1991,1995,2011 | |
| Supercopa de Chile | 4S | 2016,2019,2020,2021 | |
| Copa República | 1 | 1983 | |
| International | Copa Interamericana | 1 | 1993 |
TheChilean Football Federation rules allow a maximum of seven foreign players per team, but only five can be on thepitch at any one time. Currently, Católica has six foreign players.
Current squad of Club Deportivo Universidad Católica as of 8 June 2022 (edit)
Sources:Universidad Católica official website
Manager:Tiago Nunes
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Since the establishment of the club in 1937, 19 players have been club captain of Universidad Católica.[84]
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| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Tiago Nunes |
| Assistant Manager | Evandro Fornari |
| Assistant Manager |  Rodrigo Valenzuela |
| Academy team Manager | Andrés Romero |
| Fitness coach | Edy Carlos |
| Analyst | Jussan Anjolin |
| Assistant fitness coach | Mauricio González |
| Goalkeeping coach | Robert Prieto |
| Director of Football |  José María Buljubasich |
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| President | Juan Tagle Quiroz |
| 1st Vice-president | Guillermo Agüero Piwonka |
| 2nd Vice-president | Hernán de Solminihac |
| Members | Alex Harasic Durán Sebastián Arispe Karlezi Felipe Correa Rivera Martín del Río Arteaga Juan Pablo del Río Goudie Jaime Estévez Valencia Martín Cuthbert de Solminihac Luis Larraín Arroyo |
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| Home stadium |
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