Pablo Peirano out, Luis Flores in as new manager of Cusco FC, defeating Sporting Cristal

Cusco FC - Sporting Cristal 4-1 (1-0)

F. Rodríguez 20', Ayarza 73', Morales 90'+4', Barreto 90'+7' - Yotún 81'.

Friday, 29 September 2023, 6 pm local time (11 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, the 16th round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Soon after the 2-1 defeat against local rivals Deportivo Garcilaso, Pablo Peirano and Cusco FC parted ways. It was a sad day when the club issued a statement announcing the departure of a manager who has done so much for the club and stayed for so long - practically the entire 2022 season (except for the first round), when Cusco FC managed to promote back to the First Division, and almost the whole 2023 season, as there were only six rounds remaining. Cusco FC had a good Apertura, classifying fourth, probably much above expectations, but they had a poor Clausura, for a number of reasons, including bad luck and the fact that the main central forward, Fajardo, left the team for the MLS side DC United.

The next day, the name of the new manager was announced: Luis Flores, a local (Peruvian) manager, who had actually managed Cusco FC before, back in the times when it was called Real Garcilaso, from September to December 2014. Back then, he came after another manager who stayed for a long time in the team, Freddy García, who still holds the record as the longest standing manager of the club, for a period of almost four years! Luis Flores managed other top tier Peruvian teams as well, the last one being Deportivo Binacional for a short period in 2019, but has since dedicated to lower league (Copa Perú) teams.

The change was thought to give an impetus to a team who was struggling to maintain their position in the top 8, to qualify to (at least) Copa Sudamericana. The first two games under Luis Flores were a total disappointment, especially because Cusco FC had weak opponents, Atlético Grau (second to last in the Clausura table) and already relegated Deportivo Municipal (bottom of the Clausura table). Cusco FC drew 0-0 at home against Atlético Grau in one of the most boring and uneventful football matches ever seen. Then they incredibly lost 2-0 away at Deportivo Municipal, a team which came after 12 consecutive defeats and was already relegated, not to mention their financial troubles and other issues! 

So, Cusco FC seemed to be in fact weaker under Luis Flores than they were under Pablo Peirano, exactly when they were supposed to get stronger. On the other hand, Sporting Cristal came to Cusco as almost continuous leaders of Clausura, and after a streak of 21 consecutive matches unbeaten! They were unbeaten in the Clausura, and they only lost one game throughout the whole season, in round 13 of Apertura, 2-0 away at Universitario de Deportes. However, just before the game against Cusco FC, Sporting Cristal misstepped, drawing 1-1 at home against UTC Cajamarca.

Cusco FC made an impressive and unexpected game. They took the lead in the first half. Yotún lost a ball while Cristal was attacking, and the home side launched a fastbreak, Olivares assisting Felucho Rodríguez in the box, whose left-footed shot touched the near post before getting in: 1-0 (20').

Felipe Rodríguez scored the opening goal after a swift counterattack. Photo source: Liga de Fútbol Profesional Facebook page

Of course, Sporting Cristal tried to give a strong reply and to equalize, but they were unable to find ways to penetrate the Cusco defensive lines, very well organised. Goalkeeper Ferreyra was also in one of those great days, saving almost everything that could be saved. Cusco FC were even more dangerous than their opponents, on counterattacks. The speed and finesse of their counterattacks increased in the second half, after Da Luz and Ayarza came in, bringing fresh air in the field.

Abdiel Ayarza was one of the Cusco FC heroes against Sporting Cristal. Photo source: Liga de Fútbol Profesional Facebook page

Abdiel Ayarza stole a ball from one of the opponents, Felucho Rodríguez launched the same Ayarza in the opposite box, and the Panamanian's shot went to the far corner of the goal just like in a game of snooker: 2-0 (73').

The visitors continued their attacks, and eventually succeeded to get a goal, from range, as Yotún had a wonderful shot who went right under the crossbar: 2-1 (81'). It looked like Sporting Cristal were able to come back in the game, but just a few minutes after, Mauro Da Luz made an amazing run towards the opposite goal, and could be stopped only by Lutiger's foul. As he was the last defender, Lutiger was sent off (84').

Even down to ten men, Sporting Cristal insisted in trying to equalize, encouraged by the defensive stance of Cusco FC. They had a good chance right at the start of stoppage time, but a header went slightly wide (90'+1').

Cusco FC finished the game soon after. The visitors left few people in defensive, as they were focused on the attack, and the home side took advantage. Young James Morales finished in great style a beautiful action, assisted by Abdiel Ayarza: 3-1 (90'+4').

It was not quite over, because in the seventh minute of stoppage time Gerson Barreto had a great shot from just outside the box, in the upper left corner to make it 4-1 (90'+7'), triggering the celebration among the already enthusiastic Cusco FC fans.

Gerson Barreto (in middle) celebrating his goal with Ayarza (left) and Da Luz (right). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Bilbao, Benincasa, Quina, Yovera - Barreto, Aucca (Da Luz 54'), Guivín (Morales 82') - Vidales (Arakaki 67'), Olivares (Ayarza 67'), F. Rodríguez. Manager: Luis Flores.

Sporting Cristal: Solís - Lora (Alarcón 46'), Chávez (Lutiger 46'), Ignácio, Pasquini - Sosa, Távara (Marlos Brenner 63'), Yotún - Hohberg (Ávila 74'), Ugarriza, Corozo (Grimaldo 63'). Manager: Tiago Nunes.

Referee: Joel Alarcón.

Yellow cards: Aucca 50', Yovera 62' - Yotún 11', Távara 45'+2', Sosa 49'.

Red card: Lutiger 84'.

The next round will be played very soon, and will actually start tomorrow. Sporting Cristal will face Sport Huancayo at home, while Cusco FC will play away at Sport Boys. Both teams need good results to remain in the fight to achieve their objectives - the title for Cristal and the top 8 to ensure the participation in the next year Copa Sudamericana for Cusco FC.

Full results, tables and fixtures:

 

Round 14 (19-21 September 2023)

 

Alianza Atlético – Deportivo Binacional 1-0

Academia Cantolao – FBC Melgar 0-1

Unión Comercio – Carlos A. Mannucci 0-0

UTC Cajamarca – Deportivo Municipal 5-1

Cienciano – ADT Tarma 2-2

Universitario de Deportes – Sport Boys 3-0

Sport Huancayo – Deportivo Garcilaso 0-0

Cusco FC – Atlético Grau 0-0

Universidad César Vallejo – Sporting Cristal 0-1

Alianza Lima bye

 

Round 15 (23-25 September 2023)

 

Deportivo Binacional – Academia Cantolao 1-0

ADT Tarma – Alianza Atlético 1-0

Sport Boys – Universidad César Vallejo 0-2

FBC Melgar – Unión Comercio 3-1

Carlos A. Mannucci – Alianza Lima 1-2

Deportivo Garcilaso – Cienciano 0-3

Deportivo Municipal – Cusco FC 2-0

Atlético Grau – Sport Huancayo 0-0

Sporting Cristal – UTC Cajamarca 1-1

Universitario de Deportes bye

 

Round 16 (28 September – 1 October 2023)

 

Unión Comercio – Deportivo Binacional 2-2

Universidad César Vallejo – Universitario de Deportes 0-1

Alianza Lima – FBC Melgar 0-0

Sport Huancayo – Deportivo Municipal 2-0

UTC Cajamarca – Sport Boys 1-1

Cusco FC – Sporting Cristal 4-1

Cienciano – Atlético Grau 2-0

Alianza Atlético – Deportivo Garcilaso – to be played on 1 October

Academia Cantolao – ADT Tarma – to be played on 1 October

Carlos A. Mannucci bye

 

Clausura table

 

1	FBC Melgar	16	9	5	2	27-11	32	Qualified for the play-offs
2	Universitario de Deportes	15	9	5	1	22-7	32
3	Sporting Cristal	15	8	6	1	26-12	30
4	Alianza Lima	15	8	6	1	15-5	30
5	Sport Huancayo	15	7	5	3	21-10	26
6	ADT Tarma	14	7	5	2	17-13	26
7	Deportivo Garcilaso	14	6	5	3	22-16	23
8	Cienciano	15	5	6	4	18-14	21
9	Universidad César Vallejo	16	6	2	8	21-17	20
10	UTC Cajamarca	16	3	9	4	20-19	18
11	Cusco FC	15	4	5	6	15-17	17
12	Deportivo Binacional	15	5	2	8	21-27	17
13	Sport Boys	15	4	5	6	11-20	17
14	Carlos A. Mannucci	15	4	4	7	12-18	16
15	Unión Comercio	15	3	5	7	16-27	14
16	Atlético Grau	15	3	5	7	12-25	14
17	Academia Cantolao	14	4	1	9	10-20	13
18	Alianza Atlético	14	3	3	8	10-19	12
19	Deportivo Municipal	15	2	0	13	10-29	6

 

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.

 

Round 17 (2-8 October 2023)

 

Universitario de Deportes – UTC Cajamarca

Sporting Cristal – Sport Huancayo

Sport Boys – Cusco FC

FBC Melgar – Carlos A. Mannucci

Deportivo Binacional – Alianza Lima

Deportivo Municipal – Cienciano

Deportivo Garcilaso – Academia Cantolao

Atlético Grau – Alianza Atlético

ADT Tarma – Unión Comercio

Universidad César Vallejo bye

 

Aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)

 

1	Alianza Lima (AW, Q)	33	22	6	5	52-21	72	Qualified for the play-offs & CL
2	Universitario de Deportes	33	20	6	7	51-21	66	Qualified for the play-offs & CL
3	Sporting Cristal	33	17	14	2	59-30	65	Qualified for Copa Libertadores
4	FBC Melgar	34	15	12	7	51-33	57	Qualified for Copa Libertadores
5	Sport Huancayo	33	15	8	10	51-35	53	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
6	Cusco FC	33	14	7	12	39-39	49	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
7	Deportivo Garcilaso	32	12	12	8	54-43	47	[1] Qualified for C. Sudamericana
8	Univ. César Vallejo	34	13	8	13	46-40	47	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
9	ADT Tarma	32	12	11	9	40-36	47
10	Cienciano	33	12	9	12	41-42	45
11	Carlos A. Mannucci	33	12	7	14	29-36	43
12	UTC Cajamarca	34	8	15	11	36-41	39
13	Atlético Grau	33	9	10	14	43-46	37
14	Alianza Atlético	32	9	8	15	42-52	35
15	Deportivo Binacional	33	10	5	18	49-61	35
16	Sport Boys	33	9	8	16	24-46	35
17	Unión Comercio	33	8	9	16	40-67	33	Relegation to Second Division
18	Deportivo Municipal (R)	33	9	3	21	29-50	25	[2] Relegated to Second Division
19	Academia Cantolao (R)	32	6	4	20	19-54	22	Relegated to Second Division

 

AW – Apertura winners

Q – Qualified for the play-offs

R – Relegated

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) drawing of lots; 5) play-off (only if needed to decide teams for relegation)

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[1] Deportivo Garcilaso have been deducted 1 point.

[2] Deportivo Municipal have been deducted 5 points for financial irregularities.