Cream and blue and white are the stars of national football rivalry par excellence, but in this Liga 1 there are other classic confrontations of great relevance.
If in the vicinity of Peruvian soccer When the word “classic” is mentioned, most fans automatically associate it with the rivalry between Universitario and Alianza Lima, the two clubs that have won the most national championships and have the largest percentage of fans across the country. Both sides meet again this Sunday 12th February in a standout match on Matchday 5 of the 2023 League 1 Apertura Tournament.
For this edition of the competition, in addition to the confrontation between the “compadres”, there are other (mostly regional) classics that, although on a smaller scale, also arouse the interest of the fans.
modern classic
In recent years, this way of referring to games has been between sport Crystal, Third overall in the Peruvian First Division and Universitario or Alianza Lima. The rivalry between light blue and cream/blue and white has grown little by little, both due to their competitiveness and their geographical proximity as all three are based in Lima.
The Rimens have an important rivalry with the Creams and Blue and White. Photo: Composition/GLR
southern classic
The only Classic in League 1 2023 that isn’t between teams from the same region is the Melgar vs Scientists, clubs that concentrate a significant number of fans in Arequipa and Cusco respectively. Thanks to their successes (Domón has been a national champion twice and Papá has a Copa and Recopa Sudamericana) they have become one of the most important teams in southern Peru.
Melgar and Cienciano are the most important teams in Arequipa and Cusco. Photo: GLR
Classic Cusco
Cienciano has another important rivalry within his city of origin. Deportivo Garcilasowho achieved promotion for this 2023 will play the Imperial City classic for the first time as part of the highest category of Peruvian football.
Cienciano and Deportivo Garcilaso will be able to play the Cusco classic in League 1 for the first time. Photo: Composition/Professional Football League
Trujillo modern classic
It plays the leading role Carlos A Mannucci and Cesar Vallejo, the two main teams in the city of eternal spring today. The Carlists have a larger tradition, but the poets have an advantage in aspects such as participation in international tournaments.
Mannucci has his Clásico against Alfonso Ugarte de Chiclín, but his rivalry against César Vallejo is stronger today. Photo: GLR
Other Peruvian football classics
In addition to those already mentioned, other League 1 2023 tenants who have their respective classics, although not being able to play any this year, are the following:
- Atlético Grau: Although he is from Piura like Alianza Atlético, his biggest rival is not that one, but Atlético Torino.
- Alianza Atlético: For their part, the Churres have Jorge Chávez de Sullana as their most traditional rival, with whom they play the Chira classic.
- ADT: The cast of Tarma is from Junín, like Sport Huancayo, but it’s not the Rojo Matador that they have their classic with, it’s Sport Dos de Mayo from the same city.
- Sport Boys: Although the Rosés have Cantolao as their neighbors, the classic Chalaco is the one that pits La Misilera against the historic Atlético Chalaco.