Colo Colo, one of Chile's most storied football clubs, is gearing up for its much-anticipated Supercopa de Chile clash with Universidad de Chile, which has been scheduled for July after initial plans faced significant delays. The match was originally slated to occur on January 25 at La Serena but was postponed due to issues surrounding logistics and security not being sufficiently guaranteed.
Pablo Milad, president of the National Association of Professional Football (ANFP), confirmed the new timeline and revealed the factors leading to the change. According to Milad, the delay was primarily due to numerous logistical complications and the absence of guarantees for safe ticket sales at the venue. He noted, "We had over three kilometers of barriers installed and eight buses prepared with security, but without any response from the authorities, we had to pull back,” which signifies the extreme measures considered to host such high-profile matches.
Milad highlighted the challenges experienced due to the temporary unavailability of necessary venues, such as the Estadio Nacional, which was not accessible for Universidad de Chile during the original scheduling. “Had the Estadio Nacional been available, we would have pursued our plan of having the Supercopa played on consecutive dates. But it wasn't. Therefore, we decided it was best to optimize our structure,” he explained.
Reaction to the reschedule has drawn mixed feelings from fans and analysts alike. Ricardo Mariano Dabrowski, who achieved legendary status with Colo Colo, expressed his thoughts clearly, stating, "It was what should have been planned from the beginning of last year. It shouldn’t have been this complicated.” His perspective emphasizes the necessity for proactive planning rather than reactive management, particularly when managing fixtures involving clubs with large followings.
With both clubs holding significant fan bases, ensuring safety during the Supercopa has sparked debates on match scheduling and formats. The ANFP is now considering implementing home-and-away matches instead of a single game, aiming to maximize fan engagement and minimize risk during the venue transitions. This consideration is still on the table, depending on the safety arrangements established for the event.
Looking pro-actively, Milad asserted the determination to finalize the arrangements and remit details to both clubs soon. “We are discussing the situation carefully as we hope this becomes the first step toward more favorable decisions for Chilean football,” he remarked, hinting at greater organizational efficiency as they move forward.
Ahead of the Supercopa, Colo Colo is set to face Deportes Limache on January 30, which will kick start their engagements for the new year at the Estadio Monumental. Their performance against Limache will likely set the tone as preparations ramp up for the Supercopa later this year.
This upcoming competition is more than just another match; it symbolizes the rivalry and passion between two of Chile’s largest clubs, and as the ANFP works on the logistics, excitement from fans continues to build. With proper planning now seemingly underway, supporters eagerly anticipate what July may hold.