Forced or not, coach Alejandro Restrepo decided to change the 3-5-2 that he had been using since he began his process with the intimate club and went on to play 4-2-3-1 with some In addition, of course, to the official debut of the goalkeeper Angel of the Cross.

“The 3-5-2 is the system that has been given priority, but we do not close ourselves to a single structure”commented the Colombian coach in an interview with DT El Comercio in the preview of the Blue and White Night, on January 14. And he kept his word. 1) because of the losses in defense (in addition to Ramos, Vilchez is injured), and 2) because the rival, who defends with three centre-backs, asked for just that, and the coach decided to almost always attack with four: Costa as a hook, Waterman and Serna as extremes and Barcos of ‘9’.

As in last year’s Apertura, Alianza returns with a 3-1 victory against Unión Comercio. A new system, where the outstanding figure was Renzo Garcés, but with the usual scorers: Waterman scored the first, Barcos the second and Ramírez (against) sealed the match. De Jesús scored the discount after the penalty committed by debutant De la Cruz. This is the UnoxUno, line by line, of the victory achieved by the blue and white.

Renzo Garcés, the bulwark in defense

The responsibility of being the libero of this Alliance, the first pass, has always fallen on him. It was his first game as a starter and he was the best in the defense: it was, according to data from @PortalLabs_FP, The one who had the most kills (5) and the most duels won (8). It was impassable above and below. He also gave the team that clean exit that was so sought after: he created two chances with his passes. He entered not to leave again.

Behind Garcés, From the cross It was correct at its premiere. He is 21 years old, is 96 feet tall and has plenty of attitude to be a goalkeeper for one of the teams that has worked best in that area in recent years. Campos (the best in said position in 2021 and 2022) and Saravia are the clear example.

Juan Pablo Freytes It was the other center back. The Argentine always delivers and in Tarapoto was no exception. Beyond the error in the clearance that ended in the goalkeeper’s penalty, Juan Pablo was very confident in the crosses and duels. His versatility helps Alianza a lot: he is also a winger.

The big news was Catriel Cabellos as a right back. The midfielder also played as a winger in some preseason friendlies, although this time it was difficult for him to position himself well to defend. On the other hand, Lakes He has improved a lot in the round trip, but he lacks consistency during the game.

Rodríguez – Arregui, the middle duo

Adrian Arregui He learned – we sense – to better manage his momentum: going strong with each ball does not mean being reckless. He understood it that way and took control of the midfield. The speed of him. The Argentine is an all-rounder and he caused the own goal for the third goal of the match.

Rodriguez, for his part, is the brain of the team, whether he stands close to his defenders or in an attacking position. It doesn’t matter. The Uruguayan has the field drawn in his head so he knows when and to whom to give the ball. He teamed up very well with Hernán Barcos, who usually dropped in to be one more in the midfield, and with Gabriel Costa.

A pure goal attack… do they need Paolo?

Restrepo read the game very well and put, on paper, four attackers: Costa of hook, Waterman and Serna of ends, and Boats of ‘9’. Two men with good footing in the middle and two quick ones on the wings. Not only did he win the midfield, but he created many scoring chances: 14 shots, of which five were on goal.

Gabriel Costa He was the great figure in attack, although he did not score any goals. He was the one who delivered an almost perfect cross for Waterman in the first goal and created two clear chances. He is recovering his level, but much more is expected of him.

waterman It was kind of a false extreme. On the wing to score and put pressure on the opponent, but almost always in the area, as ‘9’, when the blue and white team attacked. On the other hand, Kevin Serna had more spaces to unbalance. His speed is important in the attack: he assisted Barcos after recovering a ball.

Above, Hernan, almost 40 years old, shows his hierarchy to all rival defenders. He has lost speed, but not the mental quickness to know what to do with the ball. He took advantage of the multiple errors and spaces left by the rival defense.

In these hours, the question that fans ask themselves is whether or not Alianza needs Paolo Guerrero. It is clear that after Pablo Sabbag’s injury – he will be out of the field for two or three months – the Victorian team is looking for a striker. But is the ‘Predator’ the ideal nine? For now, the scorers continue doing their job: Barcos and Cecilio make the blue and white people celebrate.