Universidad de Chile legend Marcelo Salas has admitted that he is desperate to see his former club lift their first international title, as the team prepare to play the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana final against Liga de Quito.
Now retired, Salas appeared for Universidad for three years at the start of his career before moving to River Plate and is idolised by fans for his goalscoring exploits. He also played in the 1996 Copa Libertadores semi-final, when the Chileans came up short against River and failed to make the final.
Thursday sees the Azul Azul play their first ever final in Quito; and ‘El Matador’ wished them all the best shortly before kick-off.
“I think that everybody is hoping for [a first title]. I hope it comes to them and that it makes this institution even greater than it is today,” the former Chile international told Triunfo.
The ex-Lazio man, who holds the Chilean record for international goals scored with 37 in 70 appearances, added that the key for Universidad would come next week in the home leg.
“The decisive battle will be in Santiago, where the U are even stronger – despite the fact that they have played some spectacular games away from home.”
Universidad de Chile have defeated Fenix, Nacional, Flamengo, Arsenal de Sarandi and Vasco on their way to the final, winning eight of their 10 games and not losing a single leg.