Cusco FC defeated again in Lima, this time by Universitario de Deportes

Universitario de Deportes - Cusco FC 1-0 (1-0)

Valera 45'+1'

Friday, 2 June 2023, 8:30 pm local time (Saturday, 3 June 2023, 1:30 am UTC), Monumental Stadium, Lima, Peru, round 18 of Apertura (second to last), Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Cusco FC starting line-up. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Alianza Lima are already the winners of Apertura, so only the second place was still available for either Universitario de Deportes or Cusco FC before the start of the game. Universitario took full advantage of their role as hosts and eventually won quite clearly, despite the apparent narrow difference in terms of score, 1-0. Therefore, they remain in second position, although they have the same number of points as Sporting Cristal in third, so the last round of Apertura will clarify the final aspect of the podium at the end of this stage. On the other hand, Cusco FC are fourth and will need at least a draw in their last game of the Apertura, at home against Universidad César Vallejo (fifth for the moment).

Back to the game, it should be said that the biggest chance of the visitors came right in the beginning, when Mauro Da Luz had an excellent opportunity, but his shot was denied.

Mauro Da Luz (in white) had the biggest chance for Cusco FC right after the start of the game. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

However, Universitario gradually took over and controlled the game, launching constant attacks, that were repelled by an oversized Cusco FC defense, as manager Pablo Peirano introduced an extra centre back, Benincasa, to the usual line of four defenders. With five defenders, Cusco FC seemed impenetrable, but that was just an illusion. Right before half time, in injury time already, Piero Quispe's shot was partly blocked by goalkeeper Ferreyra, the ball came out to Álex Valera, who reached it before either Ferreyra or Benincasa, and sent it to the far post: 1-0 (45'+1').

Álex Valera reached the ball faster than Ferreyra and Benincasa and scored the only goal of the match. Source: ovacion.pe

In the second half, of course Cusco FC gave up their ultra-defensive tactics, trying to move up the lines and equalize. Nevertheless, they only had half chances, nothing really threatening. On the other hand, Universitario had several good opportunities to increase the difference on the score sheet, but were denied or they simply missed the target.

Set pieces were among the most dangerous situations for both teams, in a match with few goal opportunities. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

This is the third Cusco FC defeat in Lima this season, after 2-0 to Alianza Lima and (very recently) 3-2 to Sporting Cristal. All these teams will visit Cusco in the Clausura.

Universitario: Carvallo - Corzo, Di Benedetto, Saravia - Polo, Calcaterra (Guivin 78'), Barco, Cabanillas (Guzmán 90'), Quispe (Urruti 58') - Herrera (Ureña 58'), Valera (Succar 78'). Manager: Jorge Fossati.

Cusco: Ferreyra - Estrada, Alonso, Benincasa (Díaz 84'), Quina, Yovera (Gordillo 75') - Barreto - Vidales, Da Luz (Ayarza 60'), F. Rodríguez (Arakaki 75') - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Referee: Kevin Ortega.

Yellow cards: Saravia 34', Quispe 55', Ureña 69' - F. Rodríguez 35', Quina 47', Alonso 66', Yovera 71'.

In the last round of Apertura, Cusco FC will face Universidad César Vallejo at home, while Universitario de Deportes will play away at Sport Huancayo. Both matches are scheduled on Sunday, 11 June 2023.

Clausura will start soon after the short international break in mid-June, on 22 June.

Full results, table and fixtures:

 

Round 18 (1-4 June 2023)

 

Sporting Cristal – Cienciano 4-2

ADT Tarma – Alianza Lima 2-1

Universitario de Deportes – Cusco FC 1-0

Deportivo Municipal – Alianza Atlético 2-1

Deportivo Binacional – Carlos A. Mannucci 3-0

Deportivo Garcilaso – Unión Comercio 2-2

Atlético Grau – Academia Cantolao 3-0

Sport Boys – Sport Huancayo 1-0

Universidad César Vallejo – UTC Cajamarca 3-1

FBC Melgar bye

 

Table

 

1	Alianza Lima (W)	17	13	0	4	34-14	39	Qualified for the play-offs
2	Universitario de Deportes	17	11	1	5	29-13	34
3	Sporting Cristal	17	9	7	1	33-18	34
4	Cusco FC	17	9	2	6	22-22	29
5	Universidad César Vallejo	17	7	6	4	25-21	27
6	Carlos A. Mannucci	17	8	2	7	16-17	26
7	Deportivo Garcilaso	17	6	7	4	30-24	25
8	Sport Huancayo	17	7	3	7	29-25	24
9	Cienciano	17	7	3	7	23-27	24
10	Atlético Grau	17	6	4	7	29-19	22
11	FBC Melgar	17	5	7	5	22-21	22
12	Alianza Atlético	17	6	4	7	32-33	22
13	Deportivo Municipal	17	6	3	8	18-21	21
14	UTC Cajamarca	18	5	6	7	16-22	21
15	ADT Tarma	17	5	5	7	22-22	20
16	Deportivo Binacional	17	5	3	9	27-32	18
17	Unión Comercio	17	5	3	9	22-38	18	Relegation to Liga 2
18	Sport Boys	17	4	3	10	12-26	15	Relegation to Liga 2
19	Academia Cantolao	17	2	3	12	9-35	9	Relegation to Liga 2

 

W – Apertura winners

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 19 (9-11 June 2023)

 

Cienciano – Sport Boys

Unión Comercio – Atlético Grau

Academia Cantolao – Deportivo Municipal

FBC Melgar – Deportivo Binacional

Carlos A. Mannucci – ADT Tarma

Alianza Lima – Deportivo Garcilaso

Alianza Atlético – Sporting Cristal

Cusco FC – Universidad César Vallejo

Sport Huancayo – Universitario de Deportes

UTC Cajamarca bye