Ariel Holan Link Shapes Barcelona Sc - U. Católica Clash
Universidad Católica heads into barcelona sc - u. católica on Wednesday with a familiar face in the story and a heavy need for points. The match at 20:00 is the third matchday of the Copa Libertadores, and it has been described as crucial for Católica’s aspirations.
That urgency is sharpened by the overlap between the two clubs. Ariel Holan coached Universidad Católica in 2020 and again in 2022-23, won the 2020 title there, and later had only a few months at Barcelona de Ecuador.
Holan’s Short Ecuador Run
Holan’s path links the matchup from both dugouts. After his second spell at Universidad Católica, he arrived at Barcelona de Ecuador, but his time in Ecuador lasted only a few months.
That history gives this trip a sharper edge for Católica, which is trying to protect its Copa Libertadores hopes while facing a club that once hired one of its most recent title-winning coaches. Holan’s name sits at the center of the shared history, but he is not the only crossover.
Pizarro, Díaz and Capria
Jaime Pizarro also crossed the divide. He had a brief and discreet spell at Barcelona de Ecuador in 1994, joined Universidad Católica in 1997, retired there in 1999, and was part of the club’s 1997 Apertura title.
Damián Díaz took the longer route. He joined Universidad Católica from Boca Juniors in 2009, spent 12 months on loan, left in mid-2010 to return to Argentina, then signed for Barcelona de Ecuador in July 2011 and stayed until 2024 with one departure in between. He became an idol there, obtained Ecuadorian nationality, played for Ecuador, and now plays for Guayaquil FC in Ecuador.
Rubén Capria and Ricardo Noir also tie the clubs together. Capria played for Barcelona de Ecuador in the second half of 2003 before joining Universidad Católica in 2004 for one semester, while Noir went on loan to Barcelona de Ecuador from Boca Juniors in 2010 and later arrived at Católica on loan in 2016 for one year.
Eduard Bello adds the most recent player link. He joined Universidad Católica directly on loan from Barcelona de Ecuador and ended his link with both clubs at the end of last year. Barcelona de Ecuador’s most recent interest in Clemente Montes came in June 2024, when Holan was in charge there, but Montes has not played for the Guayaquil club.
