One of the episodes that are unforgettable in the mind of the Sporting Cristal fan is related to the 2007 season. That year, the celestial club almost descended to the Second Division, having a fatal start under the direction of Argentine strategist Jorge Sampaoli. What happened in the Rímac?
One of the players who was part of the 'rimense' squad was Erick Delgado, who over the years became a reference for the fans due to his leadership and love for the team's jersey.
In a dialogue during the program "Erick y Gonzalo", the former celestial captain confessed that the working method of Jorge Sampaoli was "rigid and extreme". The situation became unsustainable for the players and the board, so they had to remove him from his position.
"I believe that with Jorge (Sampaoli) his methods were very strict and extreme. Sometimes we played and the next day he made us run 8 kilometers. But after the match. It was complicated. I had a good relationship with him. He gave me confidence in every match, yes or yes. He let me loose and it went well for me. That year went well for me. It was unsustainable because we were already finishing the Apertura", explained Erick Delgado.
Sporting Cristal almost descends in 2007
Jorge Sampaoli was in charge of Sporting Cristal in 2007. The Argentine strategist led the celestial club in the Apertura Tournament, leaving the team in the antepenultimate position with 20 points in 22 matches played.
In the Clausura, Sporting Cristal achieved better results and finished in 6th place with 30 points, six points behind leader Coronel Bolognesi.
But the most valuable thing was the Accumulated Table, which finished in the antepenultimate position with 52 points, four points above the relegation zone. That year, Total Clean and Deportivo Municipal were relegated to the Second Division.