Gabriel Achilier is not still in Alianza Lima: “Apparently, I did not enter into the plans, I had been excited” | INTERVIEW

When he arrived in Lima on December 6, 2020 with his family and with his suitcase full of illusion, the Ecuadorian Gabriel Achilier was received by the delegation of Alliance Lima, a team that hired him between roosters and midnight for two seasons (2020 and 2021). However, the sporting, managerial and economic situation of the club was hit by the loss of category. So, the footballing future of the former national, who spent two weeks locked up in a hotel, was more than uncertain.

While, the blue and white moved their chips and began a legal battle to define their permanence in League 1 or, in the event of a bleak outlook, resign yourself to playing League 2.. That is how the 36-year-old defender ended 2021 in force, being captain of his country’s modest team and saving it from relegation. With one more season of contract with Alianza Lima, the former world champion with the ‘Tri’ in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, broke his silence and, from Mexico, where he resides and vacation, spoke about his contractual situation with the current Peruvian soccer champion.

—Despite the uncertain future at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, you finished the season playing with Orense from Ecuador …

Yes, I had a fairly regular year, in my way of watching football. You also learn from football and, in that interpretation of the coach, we could not qualify for an international tournament, but we saved the team from a situation as complicated as permanence. We were able to achieve it and that speaks of the commitment of the players to continue maintaining football in the province of Machala, and what was sought was achieved.

—You have one more year of contract with Alianza Lima, have they told you that they will have you in 2022?

It is talking. We are talking to negotiate it, since apparently I do not enter into the plans of the club, the team, and that makes us very sad, we were very excited and wanted to go, but due to situations that occur in football, at the moment I would not enter the plans. I would have to analyze an option or those that are being given so far.

– Recently, coach Carlos Bustos declared about your hierarchy as a player and that he was analyzing your return, since you have a current contract …

There are moments where one comments based on a possibility, and well there was the possibility. Today it no longer exists, it no longer exists. I was very disappointed, but also grateful because the people of Alianza gave me the opportunity to believe in myself, even though I couldn’t make it to the club. He bet on me at a time where he needed it, and the things that happened at the club happened, so they are very strange situations that are happening in such unusual ways, where it is up to you to adapt to this situation.

—When the proposal of Orense from your country came up, many thought that you did not want to play in Alianza Lima, since it did not define whether it was going to play League 2 or League 1, what was the reality?

We lived in uncertainty due to the situation the club was experiencing. When I arrived in Lima I had to spend fifteen days with my family locked up in a hotel, a strange situation. I wanted to start moving, but the club could not provide me with the facilities I wanted. I had to spend fifteen days in the hotel waiting for an answer from them (Alianza), well, if today something is clear to people, it is that I always had the desire, the desire and the illusion of still going. That has always been my position, to arrive at Alianza very hungry, eager to make history, to continue marking my career. Unfortunately, due to the situation the club was experiencing and the situation we were in, they led us to make a decision that served both of us. It served me a lot by continuing to support myself and showing what kind of player and person I am. In the end I am very grateful to Alianza because it gave me the opportunity to go to Orense this year.

“Do you still have hope of playing for Alianza Lima?”

Despite having a contract, the chances are gone. On the administrative side or the leadership, I do not know what the excuse or the argument that they handle. I feel in optimal condition, physically better than ever, and with great hunger and enthusiasm, but there is a reason for things. Beyond that it is a disappointment and a hard blow, but we accept it as it comes.

—You ended up playing and being captain in Orense. It is probably not a football issue, the one that you have not been taken into account in Alianza …

I am one of the people who is very convinced of his work, of what he does, and of all the professionalism. Physically and mentally I feel good. I want to continue competing in the league that I play, and showing myself how far I can go

—At 36 years do you still think about the national team?

I think that the excuse of age should not make sense. Look at Felipe Melo, 38 years old, he’s still playing. Luka Modric is still valid, then, what we are talking about. As long as you are hungry and you continue to believe in yourself, the doors are going to be open. I am calm, in my career I did things well, I have been wrong like anyone, but in the end they are things that happen. Soccer gives you revenge, so I’ll have it very soon.

—In the same 2021 version champion Alliance, 36-year-old Jefferson Farfán stood out and returned to the Peruvian team. Hernán Barcos, 37-year-old attacker, chosen as the best player in League 1.

As long as one has the desire and the hunger to continue playing, everything will happen. So, I am calm. I expressed the illusion of going to Alianza, I still have it, and I am going to maintain it until things are clarified and I have a firm answer from Alianza for what is going to happen.

—The Alianza fan also hoped to see you in action with Farfán, Barcos, Aguirre in the 2022 Copa Libertadores …

Yes, I was also very excited. For my part, thank the people of Alianza who believe in me. The truth is that it no longer depends on me. I am very calm, because it is not in my hands, then, on my part to continue preparing in what comes. I think it will be for the best, that’s my mentality, even if things get tough, difficult. Being with this expectation of what will happen has been difficult, but better things will come.

—You were Raúl Ruidíaz’s teammates in Monarcas Morelia, where he left his mark, however, with the Peruvian team he has not stood out …

No one doubts his ability. Talented, virtuous, intelligent and knows where the spaces are. He is a player who helped us a lot during his time in Morelia, and for a reason things were happening to him. In the selection his step has not been so transcendental, but he is still an important player at all levels. In the case of Raúl, where he is, he will be one hundred percent figure. Not only Ruidíaz, but also Edison Flores and Andy Polo. The Mexican league is very competitive, one of the best in the world, and it helped other clubs to observe them and have the significance they have now. The truth is that I am very happy to have shared dressing room and court with them.

—How do you analyze the campaign of the Ecuadorian team in the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers?

Important for everything they have been doing. It makes us proud to be able to go to a World Cup. God wants to make it so. The Playoffs are red hot, the dates that remain. Peru arrives with great expectations, great enthusiasm, and something that highlights Peruvians is that they do not let themselves be defeated, they continue until the last, and the remaining dates will show it.