A date with history and a turning point: a key week for the 'buddies' [OPINION]

The moment has come to be bigger than ever. Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes, the most consistent teams at national and international level, will have a turning point this week towards their goals for the season. Both teams have been fighting week by week to win the Torneo Apertura, but they will have to pause and concentrate fully on this cup matchday. Contrary to history outside our borders, the 'compadres' have great chances of advancing to the round of 16 in their respective competitions.

Alianza Lima is the team with the best numbers in Peruvian football. Despite losing last Friday against Melgar in Arequipa, Guillermo Salas' team has obtained 80% of the points they played for. The percentage would be higher if the WO against Sporting Cristal is not taken into account. Nevertheless, it is enough to be the sole leader, with a five-point advantage over 'U', and the only one that depends on itself to win the first tournament of the season. If they defeat Binacional this Sunday in Matute, where they have been 100% effective, and the 'cremas' do not win in Cajamarca, Alianza will be the undisputed winner.

But in La Victoria, there is no room for the Liga 1 at the moment. This Tuesday Alianza Lima has a date with its history. It will face Libertad from Paraguay, and it is literally a final. Because if they win, they will add seven points and practically secure a spot in the Copa Sudamericana, at least. And their chances of advancing to the round of 16 in the Libertadores will be huge. Not only would they benefit in sports, but also economically. Remember that winning a match puts $300,000 in your pocket. That's why 'Chicho', after some tests and rotations, will field his best '11' to achieve the triumph of the season. The blanquiazules have not advanced to the next phase since that campaign in 2010, when they were eliminated by U. de Chile in a controversial definition.

Universitario de Deportes is experiencing a similar atmosphere. They have already overcome the setback of losing in Sullana and, in the process, the unbeaten streak in Jorge Fossati's era. The 'cremas' returned to win, please, and thrash a César Vallejo team that could never stand up to them. They took advantage of their 'compadre's' misstep to reduce the difference to five points, with nine left to play. They do not depend on themselves, but they are obliged to win against UTC this Sunday, at least to extend the illusion for another week. In Ate, they also know that if they do not win the Apertura, they must win all the remaining matches to stay in the Accumulated.

But the 'cremas' are also excited about the Sudamericana. Currently, they are the unbeaten leaders of their group. And this Tuesday, they will have a tough visit to Brazil. Goiás, the team they managed to draw with in the last minutes at the Monumental, is not at their best in the Brasileirao, and that's where 'U' has to take advantage to try to add points and consolidate their qualification for the round of 16. Remember that, in the 'Suda', Universitario reached the quarterfinals in 2011, when they were incredibly eliminated by Vasco da Gama.

For these reasons and many more, this will not be an ordinary week for the most popular teams in our football. It could be a consagratory week for both of them, but they could also suffer setbacks that will require them to have the mental strength to turn the situation around. Football is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. But for years, we have not seen two Peruvian teams competing at the international level. Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes are giving us a great moment, and hopefully, both of them will be rewarded. For the good of everyone.

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