The failed bet of Salas and a fall that postpones the intimate dream of winning the Apertura

The blanquiazules had one of their weakest performances in Arequipa, missing a clear opportunity to win the Apertura Tournament. An adverse result that comes before the decisive match against Libertad in the Copa Libertadores, and that leaves Salas with many things to correct, even though several of his starters didn't even travel.

Variations that didn't respond

The victory against Deportivo Municipal gave Alianza Lima (8) a good cushion of points. For this reason, 'Chicho' Salas decided to give rest to his main men. Carlos Zambrano, Andrés Andrade, Bryan Reyna, and Ricardo Largos stayed in Lima, focused on the midweek clash for the Libertadores. They were joined by the suspended Gino Peruzzi and the injured Ángelo Campos.

With this panorama, the intimo strategist opted for players like Franco Saravia, Edinson Chávez, Yordi Vílchez, Nicolás Amasifuén, Oswaldo Valenzuela, and Franco Zanelatto. Men who did not have their best night for the team to find its best version at 2,335 masl.

Chávez lacked offensive vocation. He did not generate any overflow and was constantly overcome on his side. On the other hand, Amasifuén was one of the shortest. The 17-year-old youngster struggled with the match, especially the first half. When they moved him a few meters up, he looked more comfortable. Valenzuela was uncomfortable being the anchor. He was caught in a bad position on more than one occasion, causing attacks from the home team. A few meters ahead, Zanelatto did not end up being the imbalance weapon. That was also because he failed to associate with Chávez on the right. He only generated one overflow at the last line.

Although not everything was below-average performances. Vílchez, as always, fulfilled in the defensive line. Together with Santiago García, they managed to neutralize the rojinegros' attacks and helped Saravia not to have much work, although the goalkeeper responded when requested.

Intimate Disconnection

From the first minutes, Alianza Lima showed confusion and disconnection. They resorted to rough play on more than one occasion, resulting in the booking of up to five players: Amasifuén, Sabbag, Castillo, Valenzuela, and Chávez. So much was their disassociation and lack of ideas that they had to wait 37 minutes to shoot for the first time at the goal defended by Carlos Cáceda. They did it through their scorer Pablo Sabbag.

The Colombian forward, author of the blanquiazul's goal, looked very alone. He could never associate with Jairo Concha and Jesús Castillo. They generated even less game with the wingers Aldair Rodríguez and Franco Zanelatto. He only had two clear chances and scored one goal. His capacity as a goal scorer is not in doubt. Although this time he missed Andrade and Reyna. Without the ball, he picked up many meters, staying far from the opponent's area.

When they got the draw, they seemed very comfortable with the result and practically gave up attacking. Wearing down the offensive men even more. Melgar gained ground, and despite not being so sharp in attack, they managed to break Saravia's net on a set piece. A play where they lost their marks and ended up paying dearly. From this match, Salas will draw more than one conclusion, considering that in the Clausura Tournament they will play more than once at altitude. They just have to lift their heads and not allow Universitario de Deportes to get closer to them in the table. You learn more from defeats. That is clear in La Victoria.

Cueva on the bench

Without the 'Rifle', it seemed that Christian Cueva could get minutes at Alianza Lima. However, 'Chicho' preferred to leave him on the bench throughout the match and opted for Jairo Concha. The coach chose to leave the most expensive signing of the season on the bench, even when once the draw was achieved, the victory could be tempted.

With discreet performances against Vallejo and Cienciano, it was expected that Cueva would also get minutes in Arequipa to arrive in better form against Libertad in the Libertadores. However, they kept him sitting.

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