Tuesday, the 13th of October 2020, 10:30 am local time (3:30 pm UTC), Alejandro Villanueva Stadium (neutral ground), Lima, the 18th round of the Peruvian Liga 1 - Apertura (First Stage).
Under manager Carlos Ramacciotti, Cusco FC does not lose, and but does not win either. Just a few days after a lucky 1-1 draw against Atlético Grau, there is another 1-1 draw against Deportivo Municipal. Not as lucky, and this is rather a good thing considering that Carlos Ramacciotti started with three U21 players, Carlos Orbe (a first timer, and in the starting XI!), Bryan Chahuaylla and James Morales, mostly because Cusco FC needs more minutes played by such players in the "bolsa de minutos". Best Cusco FC players, Ramúa and Carando, did not start, and only Carando got 20 minutes in the end. In these conditions, it was normal for Deportivo Municipal to push more, but Cusco FC had a good strategy on the counterattack and could have scored several times. They scored once: a corner from the right side, a perfect cross by Ray Sandoval and a spectacular header by Marco Saravia: 1-0 (33'). Ray Sandoval could have doubled the advantage: Rivera controlled the ball, dribbled several defenders and provided Sandoval with a great assist, but he missed the target, all alone with the goalkeeper (41'). Deportivo Municipal had their chance in the first half stoppage time, but Gallardo missed incredibly from the centre of the area after Gómez tried erroneously to reach for the ball.
Jair Céspedes (Cusco FC, in black, with the ball) made another good game, but it was not enough for his team to win over Deportivo Municipal. Source: dechalaca.com
In the second half, Deportivo Municipal started very decided to equalize and it looked like Cusco FC had no response to such attacks, despite the fact that two youngsters (Orbe and Morales) were substituted at half time with two experienced players (Toledo and Carranza). And it was exactly on Toledo's side where Deportivo Municipal scored, after an action similar to one in training sessions: goalkeeper Melián sent the ball to Bogado, who saw Velarde all alone on the left side and provided the assist, and Velarde, alone with Gómez, did not miss: 1-1 (58').
After the goal, Cusco FC succeeded to stop the overall domination of the opponents and the game became more balanced. Both teams missed several good opportunities, Archimbaud was very active for Deportivo Municipal, while Cusco's Mimbela, Atoche and Carando tried their shots from different ranges, but to no avail. The referee sanctioned Gonzales twice for using his hand in protecting himself from the opponents, and sent him off for the second yellow card (87'). In the remaining minutes Deportivo Municipal put some pressure, but the match eventually ended with a deserved 1-1 draw.
Cusco FC: Gómez - Orbe (Toledo 46'), Saravia, Paniagua, Céspedes - Atoche, Gonzales - Morales (Carranza 46'), Chahuaylla (Mimbela 59'), Sandoval (Palacios 89') - Rivera (Carando 71'). Head coach: Carlos Ramacciotti.
Deportivo Municipal: Melián - Córdova, Aguilar, Caballero, Torres - Mansilla, Archimbaud - Ross (Regalado 64'), Bogado, Velarde (Sawa 83') - Pando (Gallardo 14'). Head coach: Victor Rivera.
Referee: Luis Seminario.
Yellow cards: Atoche 60', Gonzales 64', 87', Saravia 69', Mimbela 84' - Archimbaud 39', Caballero 44'.
Red card: Gonzales (Cusco FC) 87' - for the second yellow card.
The Apertura will end with the 19th round, scheduled this week-end. Deportivo Municipal will play against Melgar on Saturday, while Cusco FC will have a difficult game against Apertura winners, Universitario de Deportes, on Monday, the 19th of October. The match is marked by the absence of several important players for Cusco FC, especially in the defence and in front of the defence. Goalkeeper Pretel and central defenders Delgado and Vílchez are injured, and did not play against Deportivo Municipal, and most likely will be absent again, just like Gonzales, suspended for the red card. In this context, Carlos Ramacciotti will have the challenging task to find the best possible squad for this match, which will be played on Nacional Stadium in Lima - officially on neutral ground, but practically in the city of their opponents.
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