Alianza Lima vs. Universitario de Deportes will face each other this Sunday, starting at 3:30 pm, at Matute, with all four stands enabled for the final round of the Pluspetrol 2022 Women's League Championship Playoff. Although 'U's legal team sent a document to the FPF suggesting that the match be played behind closed doors, following incidents in the men's classic, the Disciplinary Commission finally opted for other measures. Thus, the women's classic will be played with the entire stadium open.
In that sense, Samir Mendoza, coach of the blanquiazules, mentioned that the audience is different and the women's sport should not be harmed. "I am part of the growth of this sport. Our sport is aimed at families, at girls who dream of being professionals. We cannot stop. We cannot try to close this event, (to be) without an audience, because we would be taking a step backwards," he said.
Regarding the match against Paolo Maldonado's team, he added that they have in mind to take the three points at home. "We always aim high. They are different matches. Always aiming to win. We have three main basic principles: work, humility, and respect. We seek advice from psychologists to maintain the group with these three principles and bring out those values. We work silently."
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Words from the players
On the other hand, Sandra Arévalo, a player from the first team, gave her impressions about the classic match between Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes. "It's my first classic at Matute and I'm super happy. The fact that fans come is super important because it motivates us. Seeing our families is what we have always dreamed of. We will use all the necessary tools to bring a good result," she said.
Similarly, Sandy Dorador referred to the match. "We don't feel like favorites. We know they are finals, we respect the opponent that way. We know it's a classic and a classic is different, the most beautiful thing is that it will be played at home. We have studied the opponent in the best possible way to try to keep the three points at home. We come undefeated and our goal is to become champions, to reach a final, to be two-time champions. Everything step by step," she added.