Why did Melgar send the school to the ‘Academy’? | CHRONICLE

Melgar did what we ask Peruvian clubs to do every summer: compete. Compete in capital letters, without complexes or excuses. With ball and without it. Sweating and playing.

Racing de Avellaneda, one of the leaders of Argentine soccer, was the rival. The team that Fernando Gago, that elegant crystal midfielder, fine-tuned in such a way that he achieved an overwhelming mark: 16 games without losing.

I would bet that the comedian Guillermo Francella was preparing his classic video with the joke: “Beautiful morning, right?”.

But in front were Melgar and Arequipa. An explosive cocktail that had already alerted their opponents in Group B, of the Copa Sudamericana, on the previous date, when they beat Uruguay’s River Plate 2-0.

Those led by Néstor Lorenzo do not beat around the bush. Less if Bernardo Cuesta is on the field, the red and black’s historic scorer, a miniature Benzema, an attacker with a tractor chassis and artist’s sensitivity.

This Melgar deceives, when he lines up his 4-5-1, because Cuesta is never alone. Bordacahar and Luis Iberico, who was unstoppable yesterday, accompany him on the flanks. To them is added Paolo Reyna, the best left back in the Peruvian tournament. Only few say it out loud. In addition, Pérez and ‘Chaca’ Arias are always a pass option.

Melgar gave the ‘Academy’ three lashes. At minute 21, Luis Iberico remembered his job as ‘9’ and opened the account with a furious header, leaving his marker very badly off.

At 52 ‘, Iberico himself turned around with great skill and defined at will against Gómez.

And at 73′, Bernardo Cuesta took advantage of a pass into the void by Archimbaud to do what he knows best: put the ball away from the goalkeepers.

In the transmission, the Argentine colleagues, who find it difficult to hide their preferences, tried to lower the tire to each of the goals. They found a but in each red and black merit.

Not even the Colombian Cardona, who was eager to play, was compelling for the ‘Academy’ to respond. It was Correa at 87 ‘who would achieve the discount with an impossible left-footed shot for Cáceda.

In this way, the red and black team reached the top of Group B, with six points and two goals in favor, tied, precisely, with Racing Club.

There are three dates left in the group stage, but Melgar doesn’t just compete. It makes whoever stands up to tremble.