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Ceding five out of six points in dispute made Universitario lose the leadership of the Clausura Tournament of the Liga 1 Betsson, during the last week of play. The resounding defeat in Tarma, with two controversially disallowed goals, and the recent draw against Deportivo Garcilaso, at the Monumental, generated criticism from the "crema" universe. However, this afternoon (1pm), 'La U' will visit the unpredictable Atlético Grau in the heat of Piura. Atlético Grau is managed by Ángel Comizzo, the last national champion coach with the Ate-based team, and Universitario needs to win to catch up with the leader Sporting Cristal, who has a three-point advantage (24 points) and rests on this eleventh date of the tournament.
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In terms of football, José Rivera and Piero Guzmán will replace the suspended Edison Flores and Aldo Corzo. "This will be the first time I play at the Municipal de Bernal (Piura), but I am prepared," said the 23-year-old defender. Meanwhile, the selected players Andy Polo, Piero Quispe, and Alex Valera will exhibit their best repertoire with the ball to score goals again and return to the top of the Clausura Tournament.
Quispe excited about the call-up
Piero Quispe is the present of Universitario and the substitute in the Peruvian national team. At only 22 years old, the attacking midfielder is on track to become Christian Cueva's successor in the national team. His present is encouraging at the crema team, even though he hasn't been able to celebrate a victory in the last two matches with his beloved team. "I am very happy about the call-up, without a doubt, it gives me more confidence to face the matches," said the player before heading to Piura.
For number '36' of 'La U', the immediate goal is to perform well this afternoon (1pm) at the Municipal de Bernal stadium and stay on Juan Reynoso's final list for the start of the World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday. "God willing, I will be there. For now, I will start working on Monday to be able to stay," added the midfielder, who will also be part of the U-23 team led by 'Chemo' del Solar. Regarding the match against Grau, he said: "We have a united group and we will go out with a good mentality."
Alex Valera confident about scoring again
Despite not finding the net in the last three matches with 'La U', forward Alex Valera received the support of coach Juan Reynoso after his call-up to the Peruvian national team. This motivation adds to his desire to score again this afternoon in the heat of Piura. "I am very excited, I am already eager to start and end this bad streak. We have to take advantage of that motivation from the national team to get a good result against Grau," said number '20' of 'La U' before traveling to Piura.
The last time the Chiclayo-born player scored was against Melgar FBC, in the 1-0 match played at the Monumental stadium, twenty days ago.
José Carvallo not afraid of the heat in Piura
Jorge Fossati described today's match in Piura (1pm) as an unusual weather and schedule, but goalkeeper José Carvallo assured that the high temperatures will not affect the team's performance.
"The team has been training very well and we are really traveling with great enthusiasm to get a good result in Piura. We go with all the faith and, regarding the weather, we are already used to it," said the experienced 36-year-old goalkeeper, who has not been called up to the national team by Juan Reynoso, but congratulated his colleague Diego Romero for his call-up.
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