Alianza Lima, more than a good streak, reconciliation with himself | OPINION

There’s something you learned Lima Alliance in recent years and is to be strong. To be above any situation that surrounds him. Perhaps the experience of his squad, perhaps the heart of the team’s leaders, perhaps the feelings of each one or the massive support of a fan who made Matute his home every time the Blue and Whites appeared.

And it’s no longer scary that Alianza depends on itself – this old mockery was forgotten – thanks to the intelligence of ‘Chicho’ Salas to plan the matches, to the presence of Hernán Barcos in the opposite area, to the delivery of Josepmir Ballón , to the talent of Jairo Concha, to the tranquility of Gino Peruzzi, and so on with each one.

Because this Alliance is one. Because this Alliance that reaches the final also lives for its reserve (it gave it two points in the accumulated, with which they reach the direct final), it lives for its fans, it lives for its colors.

Because relying on yourself now means it can be done. After the departure of Bustos, Alianza recovered that competitive feeling. He had to win at height and he went to Cusco and Ayacucho and he did so with all the drama that occurred -with Barcos finishing as goalkeeper-. Grau played for the intimates, and the intimates appreciated the gesture, winning what he had to win. And before ADT could not be the exception.

And again Alianza depends on itself to achieve the bi-championship. He waits in the final for Cristal or Melgar, and he waits calmly because there is a team that his fans trust. “The team came together, they committed themselves”, is what Salas highlights. And that is what Matute is today: a single fist.

-Everything changed-

There are key moments, decisions that are made and turn a story around. Alianza celebrates, when only a couple of months ago it seemed that the ghosts were coming home. It was not a good start to the year, with falls in the Copa Libertadores and tumbles in the Apertura (10 wins, three draws and five losses), but it seemed to recover the memory in the Clausura, winning the visit and adding each date, but the game it was not a guarantee.

It was at the end of August that something was wrong: a silly draw in Cajamarca (a penalty kick by Fuentes), a terrible defeat against Universitario in the classic in Matute, and a horrible 0-0 against Cantolao at home.

The popular request was heard in Matute and Carlos Bustos left office. It was not difficult to choose the successor: ‘Chicho’ Salas is always willing to help (he did it in 2020 when he led in the victory against Melgar).

And in this Clausura, in nine games that he directed, he won eight (he only lost to Vallejo in Trujillo), but more than results, what Salas achieved is to regain optimism.

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