Alianza Lima recently concluded a challenging series of friendly matches during their tour in Argentina, facing off against Deportivo Riestra.The first match, held on January 18, ended in a disappointing 3-1 aggregate loss for the ‘blue and white’ team. The two-part match consisted of two 35-minute halves, with the first half concluding at 2-1 in favor of the home team, followed by a 1-0 victory for Riestra in the second half.
This defeat marks a setback for Alianza Lima, who had previously faced Emelec and Vélez Sarsfield, the reigning champions of Argentina, in their pre-season preparations. The match took place at the speed Camp in Buenos aires, starting at 7:00 PM local time, and was conducted behind closed doors, similar to their previous encounters.
nestor Gorosito, the head coach of Alianza Lima, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, maintaining the same lineup used against Vélez.Guillermo Viscarra was in goal, with Carlos Zambrano and Renzo Garcés forming the central defense. The full-back positions were occupied by Miguel Trauco on the left and William Enrique on the right.
In midfield, the trio of Pablo Lavandeira, Alan cantero, and Eric Noriega controlled the game, while the attacking front featured Kevin Quevedo on the right wing, Eric Castillo on the left, and veteran striker Paolo Guerrero leading the attack. This lineup is expected to be a strong contender for their upcoming match against Nacional from Paraguay in the Copa Libertadores.
The first half of the initial match was tightly contested, remaining scoreless untill the second half when Brian Sanchez scored for Deportivo Riestra. In response, Gorosito made tactical changes, substituting Stone Cutter for Gonzalo Aguirre.This adjustment paid off when Paolo Guerrero equalized shortly after, marking his first goal in the international friendlies. Though, Deportivo Riestra regained the lead with a goal from Gonzalo Bravo, sealing the match at 3-1.
For the second match,Gorosito made further adjustments,bringing in Angelo Campos as goalkeeper and reshuffling the defense with Marco Huamá,Velasquez,Delgado,and Ricardo Lagos. The midfield was manned by Gonzalo Aguirre, Jesús Castillo, and Jean Pierre Archimbaud, while the attack featured Navea, D’Arrigo, and Matías Succar as the striker.
Similar to the first match, the second game saw no goals in the first half. Though, Gonzalo Bravo struck again in the second half, securing a 1-0 victory for deportivo Riestra.
Looking ahead, Alianza Lima will continue their journey in Argentina as they prepare to face Deportivo Morón in their official presentation.This match is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 7:00 PM (Peruvian time) at the Nuevo Francisco Urbano stadium in Buenos Aires. Unlike the previous friendlies against Vélez and Riestra, this match will be open to the public, with tickets already on sale.
Time.news Editor: It seems Alianza Lima faced a tough challenge during their recent friendly matches in Argentina, especially with their 3-1 aggregate loss to Deportivo Riestra. What do you think this means for their preparations heading into the competitive season?
Football Expert: Absolutely, it’s a notable setback for Alianza Lima. Friendly matches are crucial for teams to gauge their preparations, strategies, and player fitness. Losing to Deportivo riestra, who isn’t as prominent as teams like Emelec or Vélez Sarsfield, could shake the confidence of the players and coaching staff.
Editor: Right, and considering the format of the matches—two 35-minute halves—do you think this affected how the players performed?
Expert: Definitely. The shorter halves can lead to a different rhythm of play, frequently enough encouraging a more aggressive approach. However, it also means that if the team starts poorly, they have limited time to recover. In the first half, Alianza Lima was trailing 2-1, wich could have impacted their strategy and morale in the second half, where they ultimately lost 1-0.
Editor: That’s a valid point.And coach Néstor Gorosito’s decision to retain the same 4-3-3 formation from their match against Vélez suggests he might be looking for consistency. Do you think he should reconsider this formation given the defeat?
Expert: Changing formations could be a wise move if his current tactics aren’t yielding the expected results. A flexible tactical approach may help adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams. If Alianza Lima continuously struggles against teams like Riestra, it might indicate a need for tactical evolution to better utilize their players’ strengths.
Editor: Considering this match took place behind closed doors at the Speed Camp in Buenos Aires, do you think this had an impact on the players?
Expert: Playing behind closed doors can have mixed effects. On one hand,it reduces external pressure from fans,which might allow players to focus better.On the other hand, the lack of crowd support can be demotivating. Since this was a friendly and not in front of a live audience, it might not have impacted them substantially, but getting used to the competitive atmosphere is vital for player morale.
Editor: As Alianza Lima moves forward,what would you suggest they focus on in their upcoming matches to turn things around?
expert: I would reccommend a renewed emphasis on defensive stability and off-the-ball movement. They may need to analyze their previous games to identify areas of vulnerability, especially in transitions. Additionally, building chemistry and confidence thru regular practice in a structured yet flexible formation could help them perform better in actual competitive situations.
Editor: Those insights are invaluable as we look ahead to their season. It certainly will be fascinating to see how this affects Alianza Lima in the future!
