The week is over and although Alianza Lima was able to celebrate the Torneo Apertura title, a few days ago they lost 0-2 to Atlético Mineiro and were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores 2023. This has undoubtedly had an impact locally and internationally, and one person who decided to speak out about it was former player Julinho.
Julinho, who is now a sports commentator, affirmed that Alianza Lima made great signings to face the competition in the best possible way and believes that they could have achieved more, especially because some results worked in their favor when no one expected it.
"I'm not going to argue about the short or long term. 'Chicho' has achieved many things with Alianza Lima, but I have to question the Copa Libertadores issue. Alianza plays one way in the local tournament, and the Copa Libertadores is very difficult, but Alianza hired players to compete with high-level teams. They competed, but in my opinion, they could have done much more," he said on ESPN.
He also said that he was not going to question what Guillermo Salas has achieved in the Liga 1, but he was going to criticize the approach he had in certain games, especially because they were key to qualification and were not taken advantage of.
"No one is going to question what 'Chicho' achieved locally, but when I saw Alianza facing certain teams, where by obligation, playing at home, they had to propose, they did not do it and it was worrying. They didn't do it against Libertad, when they knew they had to win, but they entered with a conservative proposal and ended up losing. They should have competed better and sought more," he added.
"I don't understand that a team, whose only chance in their life for the Copa Libertadores was in the last match against Mineiro, didn't even shoot at goal. I criticize the proposal," he concluded.
When does Alianza Lima play in the Copa Libertadores?
Alianza Lima's next match will be on June 27 against Athletico Paranaense, at 17:00 hours, for the Copa Libertadores.
Does Alianza Lima have a chance to go to the Sudamericana?
Finally, it is worth noting that Alianza Lima has concrete chances of at least securing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana. However, the outlook is complicated as they have to defeat Paranaense in Brazil and hope for a miracle in the other scenario.