If there is something that characterizes Gustavo Álvarez, it is moderation. The Argentine coach of University of Chile He always transmits calm and does not go crazy with the positive results he has achieved in the U nor in Huachipato, the club that gave him his first chance in the country. But if it were due to numbers and influence, the trans-Andean could perfectly well take off. Almost without realizing it, the coach became unbeatable in the National Championship.
After the categorical 4-0 of the blues against his former club, the coach of the Chilean soccer leader assured that he would reach nine months without losing an official match in the country. Yes, there is no error. Since July 29, 2023, in the 2-1 loss against Colo Colo when he directed Huachipato, which Álvarez He doesn’t know what it’s like to lose. Between the steelmakers and the Uaccumulates 21 games without being surpassed.
Their current undefeated record is summarized in 14 wins (seven in each squad) and seven draws (four in Huachipato and three in the U), results that have allowed, until today, add 275 days being invincible. The next challenge will be Sports Iquique, in a match where the blues, in the best of cases, could be eight points ahead of their pursuers, obtaining a fairly important cushion if at some point a puncture occurs. At least for now, Álvarez has found the formula to ‘take over’ Chilean football.
Solidity and power as a visitor
Today, by far, The U is the best team in the championship. He is the only undefeated player in the tournament, the best visitor (he won 16 of the 18 points he played in that condition) and has the best goal difference (+12, followed by Palestino with +9). And that is no coincidence.
Taking into account the unbeaten record with Huachipato plus the one now, Gustavo Álvarez won nine of the 11 duels he played away from home, which translates to a staggering 88 percent performance. The debt, if there is any, is local. Of the Of the 10 games included in this count, they won five and tied five (67%). In fact, The trend in the U is also reflected: in the Nacional, the blues won two and tied two in 2024.
The 18 technicians who have not been able to handle Álvarez
Will there be anyone who can take him down anytime soon? So far 18 technicians have tried it: Fernando Díaz (2), Pablo Sánchez (2), Ivo Basay (2), Ronald Fuentes, Juan José Ribera, Francisco Meneghini, Martín Cicotello, Mario Salas, Nicolás Núñez, Hernán Caputto, Francisco Arrué, Walter Erviti, Jorge Almirón, Juan Manuel Azconzábal, Gustavo Huerta, Emiliano Astorga, Miguel Ponce and Javier Sanguinetti.
Of them, Díaz, Sánchez, Salas, Núñez and Huerta did not lose, but the first two have a plus, because they faced him twice, achieving two draws. ‘Nano’ Díaz even beat him, but in a friendly, so it does not count in the official record. Will they be the ones who have the formula?
