Hormazábal rejects claims of a rift between Universidad de Chile squad and Gago

Fabián Hormazábal has dismissed reports of a split inside Universidad de Chile, insisting he sees no distance between Fernando Gago and the players.

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I have no idea, I don’t know where that came from. I don’t notice any distance, on the contrary. Personally, the coach is very close to the players.

The right-back was asked about claims of tensions between Gago’s coaching staff and senior figures such as Charles Aránguiz, as well as alleged frustration with the Argentine coach’s methods. “I have no idea, I don’t know where that came from. I don’t notice any distance, on the contrary. Personally, the coach is very close to the players,” Hormazábal said.

He also defended the team’s demanding physical checks, saying he likes to monitor his measurements and weight so he can perform at his best. Universidad de Chile are preparing to face Coquimbo Unido after consecutive losses to Universidad Católica in the Superclásico and Universidad de Concepción. Hormazábal said the squad had recently put together a run of five or six wins before those setbacks and now needed to correct mistakes and adapt quickly during matches.

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I like it a lot. I am quite methodical in that sense. I like to have my measurements right, my weight right and to be at my best in everything so I can perform as well as possible.

The defender acknowledged that the losses had left the group “a little hurt,” but said the players remained determined to work and fight until the end. He added that replacing Lucas Assadi, who left for Swedish football, would be difficult because of the player’s talent. Still, he said teammates were ready to compete for the vacant starting role and believed they could perform well.

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We are a little hurt by the two defeats, but we want to work, make corrections and have the weekend arrive so we can show what we are working on. We will fight until the end.