The most intimate rallied their third game without a win, gradually moving away from the Clausura. Universitario, Melgar and Sporting Cristal are looking.
Alianza Lima raised doubts again after drawing with Universitario in Matute on day 5 of Peru’s final football tournament. The side accumulated their third game without a win (two draws and one loss) and began to move away from the struggle of the second competition of the year, causing unease inside La Victoria. Although Guillermo Salas’ side played a good first half and took the lead with a shot off the post by Pablo Sabbag, the second half did not go well for the Blue and Whites as they were dominated by the creams.
“Chicho” was asked about his performance and the lack of ideas for a tactical rethink. Despite the adversity, the strategist assures that his game idea is understood by the team and announces this at a press conference.
Today, five points from first place, Alliance fans are beginning to doubt their team will win this tournament. So here we explain how the national title would be defined if the Victorians lost the Clausura.
If Alianza Lima loses the Clausura, how will the national title be defined?
With the Apertura in the bag, Alianza Lima must win the Clausura to automatically become national champion. If you fail to comply with the latter, the regulation states:
- The winner of the opening or closing tournament must be among the top two players to qualify for the playoff finals.
If Alianza loses the Clausura and doesn’t finish in the top two in the standings, they’ll need to play the semi-finals of the playoffs to reach the final:
- If a team wins the Apertura or Clausura and does not finish in the top two places in the standings, it must play a two-legged semi-final against the top-placed team in the standings (unless it has won either of the two stages mentioned).
What does the regulation defining the League 1 domestic title say?
- If a winner of the opening or closing tournament does not remain in the top eight places overall, they cannot participate in the play-offs. Your place will be taken by the highest-ranked team in the overall standings that has not won any of the named stages (opening and closing stages).
- The away goal does not count in the play-offs. Penalties apply if the outward and return journeys end with the same number of points overall.
- The club with the best points overall can choose to start the play-offs at home or as a guest.