The Stage is Set: A Peruvian Classic Looms

The storied rivalry between Lima Alliance and Universitario is set to ignite once more in the Apertura 2025 Tournament. however, both teams approach this crucial match with recent setbacks and key player absences, adding an element of uncertainty to the highly anticipated clash.

Lima alliance: Stumbling Blocks on the road to Glory

Lima Alliance has faced a series of challenges, impacting their performance in both domestic and international competitions.

• Libertad Loss: A narrow defeat against Freedom of Paraguay in the Conmebol tournament highlighted vulnerabilities within the team. Unlike previous phases, the team led by Nestor Gorosito showed low yields against the cast Gumarelo and lost by the minimum difference with Gustavo aguilar’s goal.
• ADT Debacle: A 3-0 thrashing at the hands of ADT in Tarma has further dampened spirits, leaving them in fourth place with 12 points, three behind league leaders Melgar.
• Key Player Absences:

  The situation is compounded by significant player losses:

  • Pablo Ceppelini: Injured during the Conmebol tournament, Ceppelini will miss the classic. Alan Cantero replaced him at 58 minutes in the recent match.
  • Conmebol sanction: Adding insult to injury, Ceppelini also faces a Conmebol sanction, sidelining him for the remainder of the continental contest.

Universitario: Seeking Stability Amidst Adversity

Universitario is also grappling with its own set of problems as they head into the classic.

• River Plate Defeat: A loss to River Plate at the ATE Monumental stadium has exposed weaknesses within the squad. Paulo Díaz scored for River Plate.
• Diego Churín’s Struggles: Diego Churín has faced criticism for his inability to score in official matches, with his only goal coming in a preseason friendly against Junior de Barranquilla.
• Injury Concerns:

  Several players are battling physical problems:

  • Matías Di Benedetto: Facing a decline due to physical problems.
  • Martín Pérez Guedes: Absent due to injury.
  • Gabriel Costa: Also sidelined with physical issues.
• Positive Note: César Inga’s performance has been a silver lining, potentially securing him a spot in the starting eleven.

Historical Context: A Tale of Two Rivals

The rivalry between Lima Alliance and Universitario is deeply ingrained in Peruvian football history. A look at their recent encounters reveals a slight advantage for Universitario.

• Recent Record: In their last 10 clashes, Universitario has secured five victories, while Lima Alliance has won three, with two draws.
• Last Encounter: the moast recent match, on july 26 of last year, saw Universitario triumph with a 2-1 victory at the Monumental Stadium. José Rivera and Jairo Concha scored for Universitario, while Andy Polo’s own goal accounted for Lima Alliance’s score. The Cream box traced 2-1 at the ATE Monumental Stadium.

Match Details: How to Watch

The Lima Alliance vs. Universitario match for day 7 of the Apertura 2025 Tournament will be held at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium.

• Broadcasting: The match will be broadcast on L1 MAX, the Peruvian Football federation’s channel, available on DirecTV, Claro TV, Win, and Mifibra.
• Streaming: Liga1 Play will also stream the match for a fee of S/. 22.99 soles.
• Live Updates: Stay updated with live coverage on Infobae Peru, featuring pre-match analysis, minute-by-minute updates, and post-match reactions.
• Schedule: The match is scheduled for Saturday,March 5,at 19:00 hours in Peru,Colombia,and Ecuador. Other time zones include:
  • Venezuela, Bolivia, United states (Miami): 20:00 hours
  • Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil: 21:00 hours
  • Mexico: 18:00 hours
  • Spain: 01:00 hours (March 6)

Ceppelini’s Sanction: A Blow to Lima Alliance

lima alliance has been dealt a significant blow with the news of Pablo Ceppelini’s suspension.

The Uruguayan received a 4 -month punishment for having insulted a fan ‘xeneize’ In the duel that was played against Boca Juniors in La Bombonera, on February 25.

Conmebol

The 10 of the Blue andchiazules allegedly used a derogatory term,leading to the sanction. The Victorian club plans to appeal the decision and has seven business days to present its case.