🤔What do Universidad de Chile need to make Pot 1 in the Sudamericana? | OneFootball

The University of Chile is already gearing up for a 2026 full of challenges. The first major goal for the team led by Paqui Meneghini is to secure their place in the group stage of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Cup. To achieve this, the "blues" must first overcome Palestino in a single-match playoff that will be played behind closed doors at the National Stadium.

However, the interest of the management and the fans goes beyond just qualifying. There is a mathematical possibility that the "U" could be in Pot 1 of the draw, which would allow them to be a seed and avoid the most formidable opponents in the initial phase.

The necessary external results

For the university team to be a seed, it not only depends on their own performance but also on a series of results in the qualifying rounds of other countries. The "U" needs two surprises in Colombia: for Millonarios to eliminate Atlético Nacional and for Atlético Bucaramanga to surpass América de Cali.

Additionally, in the Paraguayan round, it is crucial for the modest Sportivo Trinidense to knock the historic Olimpia out of the competition. Only if these three scenarios occur will the blues climb in the rankings to share the privileged pot with continental giants like River Plate, Racing Club, Sao Paulo, and Santos.

A key start to the season

If these combinations do not occur, the University of Chile would fall to lower pots, increasing the chances of facing Brazilian or Argentine powerhouses early on. Meanwhile, Meneghini's coaching staff continues to adjust the squad, having already approved the first new signing and ruled out another, with the aim of restoring the international prestige of the "Romantic Traveler."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

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