Waldir Sáenz on Jefferson Farfán: “I would put him 45 minutes in the hierarchy” in the second final | INTERVIEW

Imagine for a moment making your debut in the First Division at the age of 19 in the club of your loves and scoring 31 goals in your first season. Then he becomes the exclusive figure in a campaign that ended an 18-year drought without titles. Later on, he scored the championship goal on his club’s centenary, and repeated the plate two seasons later, now being the benchmark of a squad that was crowned two-time champions. The four grandstands of the stadium that you used to go to as a child now chant your name and you are immortalized in history as the top scorer. That dream made it come true Waldir Sáenz (Lima, 1973). The idol of Lima Alliance, an authorized word in any context that crosses the Victorian entity, spoke with El Comercio about the final of League 1 2021 against Sporting Cristal.

—Did you expect a final like the one that was played on Sunday at the Nacional?

What happens is that the finals are always unexpected, different. Because of what Cristal has been doing during the year, another game was expected, another result, but Alianza surprised him. I have always said that the finals are played, no matter how they arrive, if they come bad or the other good, or if there were injuries. All that is left aside and those who enter the field try to do their best because they are playing everything they have done during the year.

—What was Alianza’s key to winning the first final?

I think the income of the boy Oswaldo Valenzuela. It was a success. You have to give the boys confidence and continuity. He was not out of tune and, for me, he was one of the best.

– Do you think there was excess confidence in Cristal after having won the previous two games in the year against Alianza?

I do not know if he belittled or believed that the parties were going to be the same as the previous ones, but he found an Alliance that took advantage of the few it had. On paper, Cristal was the favorite, but as I told you, the finals are played and the rest is left out.

– Did the return of the public to the stands have an influence?

Of course. it is always gratifying to play with an audience. There are times when the player needs that push to continue and the fans give it to you. Breath, thrust, has a lot to do with performance.

“Who was the figure in the first final?”

Angelo Campos. He took out several balls, the truth is that it is surprising what he has done throughout the championship. A player who became a substitute, waited for his opportunity and is now one of the figures.

“Incredible next year having Alianza Lima, right?”

Yes, but you have to be realistic. Alianza is not a Second team, it is a First team that was armed to win the Second. He had to ascend yes or yes the following year. Then the TAS agreed with him and left him in First. But what if, God forbid, not champion now. What is the justification going to be? What did a squad put together to play Second? No. Alianza is a great team and as such must always be on top, fight important things.

—But at first it was thought that he was going to play League 2

Sure, but you see the entire Alianza Lima squad, none of those guys have played in Segunda. Only Wilmer Aguirre. That is why I say that it is a First team to win in Second.

“Are you surprised by Wilmer Aguirre’s performance?”

Not really. I knew his opportunity was coming and he knew how to make the most of it. Now he is a figure of the team.

—With your experience of having played finals, how long would you put Jefferson Farfán on the field?

I would put it 45 minutes per hierarchy, for all that it can give to Alianza. Jefferson is a player to be feared and Cristal is not going to ignore him because he knows his quality. He showed it with the Peruvian team against Argentina. Farfán stopped is a concern for any team.

– On Sunday he entered, but he did not have much importance in the game

What happens is that he entered a difficult context. Cristal was attacking and Alianza was tired. In the last 20 minutes, Alianza played with the heart because they did not run anymore. Quite the opposite of the rival. I think because of the extra days they had of training. It should be remembered that Carlos Bustos’ team suffered from the Covid issue that affected the team’s preparation.

“How do you expect the second final?”

I think Cristal is going to come out with everything, it will be a difficult match for Alianza. A 1-0 does not guarantee you anything and it can take its toll if you trust them. The finals are also played like this and you have to know how to play with the desperation of the rival and the time.

“Is there a favorite?”

No. Alianza has a step forward for the victory advantage, but, as I told you, it does not guarantee that the second game things will be easier. Quite the opposite. They must go out from the first minute with everything, try to score a second goal.