University of Sports crushed the U of Chile 3-0 on Noche Crema with overwhelming football, a sample of what the team can be. Javier Rabanal in the 2026 season.
“What was done against the U of Chile was positive because, in general, everything that was worked on in the first three weeks the players did or tried to do. We had talked about having confidence with the ball and the team tried,” the ‘U’ coach highlighted. RPP.
Rabanal pointed out that the best of his team remains to be seen and marked the points to polish. “There was some mistake that almost cost us a goal, but the team always tried to press after the loss, come out playing and have good management. “Now we need to work in the areas: defend and attack in the opposite field and see how to protect ourselves when we don’t have the ball,” express.
While waiting for the nationalizations of Williams Riveros and Matías Di Benedetto, the Spanish coach stated that he does not close the door to a seventh foreign signing. “I don’t know any coach who doesn’t want one more signing, everyone is always going to ask for one more. But we already talked about it with the club: if a very good opportunity appears, in a specific location, we will make the effort. If it is just to bring, what I have is enough for me, because my team is very good,” he stated.
Javier Rabanal recognized that the front-line midfielder position is an option to reinforce at Universitario. “In the pivot position we have two alternatives for certain moments, but it cannot be either: It would have to be someone with very specific characteristics. The market is complicated and expensive,” he indicated.
About the frustrated sale abroad of Cesar Inga, Rabanal highlighted the multifunctionality of the Peruvian team. “He is a very interesting boy. I made it clear to him that this issue of offers often happens one day and the next they fall. He has to have a good year, continue showing, and for now he really likes playing here. That the train passes only once is false, especially when there are players with Inga quality,” he asserted.
The new Universitario coach spoke about the signings for this season and where they fit into his game model. Regarding Miguel Silveira, he considered that his best position is inside. Regarding Lisandro Alzugaray and Héctor Fertoli, he acknowledged that he spoke with them and they explained to him in which position they can perform best. In the case of the exTigre, he will act as a winger, interior or second striker while the exLDU will act as a winger, interior or winger.
In the case of Sekou Gassama, Javier Rabanal reiterated that it has specific characteristics that can be very helpful for Universitario. “He is a ‘9’ in the area, big, strong, who can offload very well in attack. He is different from the ones we already have. He plays more inside the area, he is a good header and finisher, and he will surely help us when we have rivals who close in on us more than necessary,” he said.
