Alianza Lima in the Copa Libertadores: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead

Alianza Lima began its history in the Copa Libertadores last Wednesday, April 3, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Fluminense, the last champion of America. There was an aroma of anger in the atmosphere because the game was about to be won, but unfortunately for the blue and white interests, the waste of opportunities to score by the forwards, mainly, determined that three points were not achieved at the start, which would have been extremely important. Like any experience, the one experienced in Matute that night taught what mistakes should not be made to face the next duel against Cerro Porteño, this Wednesday, at the La Nueva Olla stadium in Asunción.

Firstly, given how positive the initial game plan was to clash against the ‘Tricolor’, which consisted of waiting for the opponent in their own field and then starting the counterattack, it is very likely that Alejandro Restrepo will support that idea to play against to the runner-up of the last Paraguayan championship. To do this, the Colombian would think about repeating the 3-5-2 game system with which they began the year, the one they dominate the most and the one that has achieved the best results. And today, as a result of what we have seen in the last games, especially in the debut in the Cup, it can be noted that the coach has already found the team balanced for this game.

Alianza Lima will arrive motivated for the Copa Libertadores duel after beating Mannucci 4-0 in Trujillo. (Photo: Giancarlo Ávila/GEC)

Alianza Lima: the successes of Alejandro Restrepo

Without fear of being wrong, the choice for Juan Pablo Freytes to start playing as a winger on the left since the match against Los Chankas, -a news reported by Depor as a scoop-, we can consider as one of the great successes that the team has had. coach in relation to the formation of his team. And the Argentine defender is synonymous with strength, power, and aggressiveness. Furthermore, he possesses the order that is so fundamental to all game functioning. In that area, Jhamir D’Arrigo did not consolidate. He is more of a winger and struggled to fully fulfill his defensive duties. Now, perhaps, none of this would happen if it had not been for the return of Carlos Zambrano to the squad. The ‘Kaiser’ is the libero and the stoppers are Jiovany Ramos and Renzo Garcés.

After serving several punishment dates for the events that occurred in last year’s final, Ángelo Campos returned to the goal and his mere presence is synonymous with security. He is an experienced goalkeeper and the communication he has with defenders is essential. However, returning to the scenario of the successes that the coach has had, it is not possible that the choice that the coach had for Kevin Serna to leave the wing zone and place himself up front alongside Cecilio Waterman cannot go unnoticed. It is proven that both in the attack zone are gunpowder; They have skill, technique and a lot of speed, although they are still lacking in terms of effectiveness at the international level.

The midfield, which is the heart of the team, is fighting and meshing well. The Uruguayan Sebastián Rodríguez is the anchor or stopper midfielder, he has become the first starting option and is valuable support for his teammates Catriel Cabellos and Jesús Castillo, the interiors, in the role of brand and game generation. ‘Bigote’, furthermore, is the owner of the dead ball; In corner kicks and free kicks he is the main card for their execution and in any case it is a decisive weapon that will be used to try to hit in Guaraní lands. Finally, the appearance of Marco Huamán must be noted. His history at the club began as a right back, his original position, but he is lending a hand as a winger in that area and he has delivered. One of his last tasks was the correct marking of Marcelo del ‘Flu’.

Kevin Serna was Alianza Lima’s best player in the 1-1 draw against Fluminense for the Copa Libertadores. | Photo: Jesús Saucedo

Alianza Lima and the eleven it prepares against Cerro Porteño

Now it is easier to have clarity in relation to the team. Therefore, unless there is a last-minute injury, the eleven that Alejandro Restrepo would think would be with Ángelo Campos; Carlos Zambrano, Jiovany Ramos, Renzo Garcés; Marco Huamán, Juan Pablo Freytes; Sebastián Rodríguez, Catriel Cabellos, Jesús Castillos; Kevin Serna and Cecilio Waterman. The players expected are goalkeeper Franco Saravia; defenders Aldair Fuentes and Yordi Vílchez; midfielders Cristian Neira, Franco Zanelatto and Jhamir D’Arrigo. And for the attack, soccer players Jeriel De Santis and Hernán Barcos will be available, who scored in the 4-0 victory against Carlos A. Mannucci in the local league. Meanwhile, Gabriel Costa did not travel to Asunción and in his place was Brian Arias, a 17-year-old central defender.

Everything is getting ready. Yesterday the team trained in the morning in Matute and this morning the charter flight to the city of Asunción is scheduled. As this newspaper announced, the blue and white delegation will be concentrated in the facilities of the Conmebol hotel, a five-star place whose official name is Bourbon Convention Hotel, which has a spectacular field, just across a track on foot from the hotel. . The fans who bought a seat on the charter and will live a unique experience will stay at the Dazzler Asunción hotel. Before playing against Cerro Porteño, the team will train twice in Asunción and there the final details will be defined to play against ‘the blaugrana’.

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2024-04-08 15:17:21
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