Alianza Lima visited Arequipa with the aim of closing the 2023 Apertura tournament: if they won against Melgar in the Monumental UNSA and the 'cremas' didn't win at home, they would be crowned champions of the first tournament of the year in Liga 1. But things didn't go as planned for Guillermo Salas' team and at the end of the match, Bernardo Cuesta made them taste bitter defeat.
Although the 'blanquiazules' improved in the second half - winning the midfield and keeping 'Rojinegro' under control - Pablo Magnín's goal at the end of the first half gave Melgar the lead. Thus, the 'íntima' response quickly came: at 53 minutes, Pablo Sabbag showed all his opportunism to score the temporary 1-1.
The final minutes became complicated for La Victoria's team and when everything seemed to indicate that the score would not change anymore - only stoppage time had left - Melgar won a corner kick and after a series of rebounds, the ball ended up at Cuesta's feet to give his team the lead again (2-1).
Alianza Lima vs. Melgar: What's next
After this match for the 16th round of the Apertura Tournament, Alianza Lima will play again next week when they host Libertad from Paraguay for the 4th round of Group G in the Copa Libertadores. This match is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd at 9:00 p.m. and will be played at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium.
Guillermo Salas is aware of the importance of the match against 'Gumarelo', which is why he decided to keep some players out and not take them to Arequipa for the match against Melgar. The 'Íntimos' have the obligation to win if they want to get closer to the round of 16 in the continental tournament.
Melgar, on the other hand, will also have to focus on its international participation, as they will play again next week when they host Atlético Nacional for the fourth round of Group H in the Copa Libertadores. This match is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24th at 9:00 p.m. and will take place at the Monumental de la UNSA Stadium.
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