Universidad de Chile falls 2-1 to Colo Colo, drops further off the pace in Liga de Primera 2026

Losing a Superclasico is never easy, but losing it 2-1 to Colo Colo and falling 13 points behind the leader in the Liga de Primera 2026 stings a little more. That's where Universidad de Chile found itself after the defeat at the Estadio Nacional, a result that hits morale but, according to the club's blue leadership, cannot be allowed to freeze the team in place.

The one who stepped up to face the media was Cecilia Perez, president of Azul Azul, who made clear the squad has no time to dwell on what happened. With the domestic league underway, plus pending duties in the Copa Chile and the fight for an international berth, the schedule leaves no room to breathe.

We have to get through this, get all this anger, all this sorrow out of our system, and focus on next Sunday's match. We have a league to fight for and keep fighting for. We have an international cup to qualify for, and we also have the Copa Chile.Cecilia Perez

The club president was even more direct when discussing the group's character. In her view, there's no room for pessimism or the defeatist talk that tends to surface after a lost derby.

Feeling sorry for yourself is for the weak, and if there's one thing the U squad is not, it's weak. Quite the opposite, these are strong kids, fighters.Cecilia Perez

A record left just out of reach

Beyond the scoreline, one number stood out: the U drew 46,000 fans into the stands, a historic figure for the club, who cheered from start to finish even as the team ended up on its knees. Perez made sure to bring it up, almost with regret that such massive support wasn't reflected on the field.

The former Sports Minister also took the chance to address another topic swirling around the club in this transfer window: Lucas Assadi's departure for European football. The midfielder, one of the young players most beloved by the fan base, is leaving Chile to try his luck abroad, and the blue leadership took the news with a mix of joy and nostalgia.

I'm very happy for him. It's a step forward in his career. It makes me sad too, because I have deep affection for Lucas. Hopefully, after a very successful run, he'll come back to our country someday.Cecilia Perez

With the gap in the standings now impossible to ignore and a tight schedule ahead, the message from the club's presidency is to close ranks as soon as possible. Next Sunday is coming up fast, and at Universidad de Chile, they know there's no time left to keep looking backward.