After a disappointing defeat to Dos de Mayo last Wednesday, Alianza Lima faces an imperative showdown against Alianza Atlético this Saturday in Trujillo, with no room for error. This match holds significant importance as it takes place just one day before the club’s 125th anniversary, and the team aims to restore confidence amid growing questions about both player performance and coaching decisions since they have not secured a win in the first two matches of the local tournament.
Coach Pablo Guede, who has been at the center of the criticism following the loss to Dos de Mayo, held a tactical session on Friday morning in Matute before the team departed for the airport. Consistent with his approach in previous matches, Guede is expected to make more changes to the starting lineup, rather than fielding the same eleven players.
Guede’s tenure began with an official match against Sport Huancayo in Liga 1, where he fielded Guillermo Viscarra; Luis Advíncula, Renzo Garcés, Mateo Antoni, Cristian Carbajal; Gianfranco Chávez, Fernando Gaibor, Jairo Vélez; Gaspar Gentile, Eryc Castillo, and Paolo Guerrero. His lineup for the surprising 3-0 victory against Inter Miami was similar but saw Jairo Vélez replace the injured Jesús Castillo. Despite previous matches suggesting a stable first-choice lineup, subsequent matches revealed Guede’s preference for rotating players.
In the away match against Dos de Mayo, Guede made four significant changes, leading to further scrutiny from fans and analysts alike. The lineup then included Alessandro Montenegro, who stepped in for the injured Advíncula, resulting in a disappointing 1-0 loss.
The next match saw Alianza Lima secure a 2-1 victory over Comerciantes Unidos, but again Guede opted for multiple changes, with injuries prompting a shift in strategy. In the memorable 1-1 draw with Dos de Mayo that eliminated Alianza Lima from international competition, Guede experimented with an unprecedented formation featuring two strikers.
Now, ahead of the crucial clash against Alianza Atlético, the tentative lineup indicates Guede’s willingness to stick to a similar formation as the last encounter, although changes are anticipated. The expected players include Alejandro Duarte, Luis Advíncula, Renzo Garcés, Mateo Antoni, Cristian Carbajal; Gianfranco Chávez, Fernando Gaibor, Jairo Vélez; Gaspar Gentile, Eryc Castillo, and Paolo Guerrero.
While Guede’s role is currently not in jeopardy, a failure to achieve a winning result in Trujillo could destabilize his position. As it stands, there are no anticipated changes in the sports management or coaching staff until a significant outcome emerges, particularly concerning the ongoing league and upcoming classic match.
Alianza Lima’s determination to claim three points in this pivotal match not only reflects their desire for immediate success but also embodies the spirit of resilience expected from a historic club on the verge of celebrating a major milestone in its history.