Narrow win for Cusco FC over Deportivo Municipal

Cusco FC - Deportivo Municipal 1-0 (0-0)

Cavagna (own goal) 61'

Friday, 5 May 2023, 3:30 pm local time (8:30 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, 15th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Deportivo Municipal starting line-up.

Cusco FC obtained a narrow win last week, but their game was not as strong as usual, and Deportivo Municipal were not far from a surprising result away in Cusco. The problem for Cusco FC seems to be that three of their main offensive assets - Felucho Rodríguez, Abdiel Ayarza and José Fajardo - were having a bad day, just like they had a week before, away at Atlético Grau, when Cusco FC were smashed 3-0. It is obvious that the current form of these three players has a great impact on the offensive play of Cusco FC, and there is not much one can do it when their form is on a low. Of course, they can be replaced - something that manager Pablo Peirano did not take into consideration away at Grau, unfortunately, but considered this time, only towards the end of the match however. The point is that Cusco FC does not have such quality players on the bench, but one can hope that a rested sub can play better than a tired and out of form forward.

Felucho Rodríguez (in gold, Cusco FC) in one of his offensive actions, trying to make past Williams Guzmán (Deportivo Municipal).

The first half was very weak for Cusco FC, although they had most of ball possession, but were rarely able to create any sort of problem to the opposite defence. The usual long balls did not find their destination. On the other hand, Deportivo Municipal played wisely, especially on fast breaks, and had the biggest opportunity of the first half, when Kevin Peña's shot from inside the box went slightly wide (26').

The second half started more promising, with more chances for both teams. The only goal of the match came out of nothing. Felucho Rodríguez crossed from the left, but the ball got passed all the players, reaching the other side of the field. There, Josué Estrada impressively won the duel against his direct opponent, succeeded to take over Matías Pérez as well, and eventually crossed again - but the ball deflected by Francesco Cavagna took a curious trajectory and ended up in the net: 1-0 (61').

Cusco FC players congratulate Josué Estrada (centre) for the action leading to the goal.

The final 30 minutes or so, including the seven minutes of stoppage time, were very difficult for Cusco FC, which had to defend this fragile advantage. Deportivo Municipal pushed more and more, and they had some excellent opportunities, but goalkeeper Ferreyra blocked in many occasions, even in one-on-one situations. The best chance for the visitors came in the last minute of stoppage time: Jair Céspedes crossed from the left, and Pablo Erustes (in excellent position) headed wide (90'+7').

Cusco FC were lucky to get the three points in this game. They climbed into third place once again, but will not play in the next round, when they have a bye, and can be surpassed by Carlos A. Mannucci, now in fourth, if they win.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada, Bilbao, Quina, Gordillo (Yovera 46') - Barreto (Aucca 66') - Da Luz (Benincasa 88'), Vidales, Ayarza (Cantoro 88'), F. Rodríguez (Morales 82') - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Municipal: Rivadeneyra - Guzmán, Cavagna (Erustes 71'), Evangelista - Aguilar, Solís (Ciucci 71'), Peña (Céspedes 71'), Núñez (Toledo 76') - Soto (L. Ramos 76'), Olivares, M. Pérez. Manager: Ángel Comizzo.

Referee: Alejandro Villanueva.

Yellow cards: Barreto 35', F. Rodríguez 62', Ayarza 81', Yovera 89' - Cavagna 43'.

In the next round, Deportivo Municipal will play away at the leaders, Alianza Lima.

Full results, table and fixtures:

 

Round 15 (5-8 May 2023)

 

Academia Cantolao – Deportivo Binacional 1-0

Cusco FC – Deportivo Municipal 1-0

Alianza Atlético – ADT Tarma 1-1

Sport Huancayo – Atlético Grau 1-0

Cienciano – Deportivo Garcilaso 0-0

UTC Cajamarca – Sporting Cristal 1-1

Universidad César Vallejo – Sport Boys 2-0

Alianza Lima – Carlos A. Mannucci 3-0

Unión Comercio – FBC Melgar 1-1

Universitario de Deportes bye

 

Rescheduled matches:

Cienciano - Alianza Atlético 5-2 (round 7, 10 May 2023)

Alianza Lima - Universidad César Vallejo 2-0 (round 6, 11 May 2023)

 

Table

 

1	Alianza Lima	13	11	0	2	24-8	33	Qualified for the play-offs
2	Universitario de Deportes	13	9	1	3	23-9	28
3	Cusco FC	14	8	2	4	18-17	26
4	Carlos A. Mannucci	13	7	2	4	14-11	23
5	Universidad César Vallejo	13	6	4	3	19-13	22
6	Cienciano	13	6	2	5	19-18	20
7	Sporting Cristal	12	4	7	1	17-12	19
8	Sport Huancayo	13	5	3	5	21-20	18
9	Deportivo Municipal	13	5	3	5	14-15	18
10	Deportivo Garcilaso	13	4	5	4	20-17	17
11	Atlético Grau	13	4	4	5	20-15	16
12	ADT Tarma	13	4	4	5	16-15	16
13	Alianza Atlético	13	4	4	5	23-25	16
14	UTC Cajamarca	13	3	6	4	10-11	15
15	Unión Comercio	13	4	2	7	15-22	14
16	FBC Melgar	12	2	6	4	12-13	12
17	Deportivo Binacional	12	2	3	7	17-25	9	Relegation to Liga 2
18	Sport Boys	12	2	2	8	7-20	8	Relegation to Liga 2
19	Academia Cantolao	13	2	0	11	7-30	6	Relegation to Liga 2

 

Rules for classification (except for first place): 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) drawing of lots.

A play-off is needed to decide the winner if two or more teams are tied on points on top of the table at the end of the tournament.

 

Rescheduled match:

FBC Melgar - Sport Boys (round 6, 12 May 2023)

 

Round 2 (12-16 May 2023)

 

Sport Huancayo – UTC Cajamarca

Deportivo Binacional – ADT Tarma

Unión Comercio – Sporting Cristal

Carlos A. Mannucci – Atlético Grau

Alianza Atlético – Universitario de Deportes

Cienciano – Universidad César Vallejo

FBC Melgar – Deportivo Garcilaso

Alianza Lima – Deportivo Municipal

Academia Cantolao – Sport Boys

Cusco FC bye