Alianza Lima’s big problem this 2022 was the lack of a natural right-back in the squad. Neither “Tato” Rojas nor Oslimg Mora nor Yordi Vílchez, whom Carlos Bustos had to improvise in the right lane, were up to the challenge. Because of this, before the conclusion of the Apertura tournament, the blue and white football department was tasked with exploring alternatives for the position. The first option was Sporting Cristal’s Jhilmar Lora. Could not be specified. Plan B was abroad and about to be released. Your Name? Gino Peruzzi.
The right-back, a key move through Vélez, Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo in his native Argentina and Catania (Italy) and Nacional (Uruguay) abroad, arrived in the country at dawn on Monday to join the familiar squad. On his departure from Jorge Chávez Airport, the defender declared “che” to the press with notorious enthusiasm for his third experience in foreign football. “Very happy, with great enthusiasm to reach a big club like Alianza Lima. I was seduced by how big it is. He’s always fighting for titles, he’s always playing international cups. I really want to contribute my grain of sand to always make Alianza Lima as high as possible. I’ve been fortunate to be on a lot of great teams and Alianza is one of them. I’m really looking forward to fighting for whatever we have to play,” said Peruzzi, who made his professional debut with Ricardo Garecas Vélez in November 2011. “Football-wise, I feel very good, I feel very good,” he said.
In addition to negotiations led by José Bellina (sports manager), two of Peruzzi’s compatriots were crucial in the arrival of the 30-year-old defender. The first, Federico Flores, the brand new Victorian technical secretary. Flores collaborated with Peruzzi during his time in San Lorenzo and approved its creation. The second was Hernán Barcos, who spoke miracles about Alianza before arriving in the country. “I was able to chat with Hernán Barcos, with whom we shared a couple of games in the Argentina team. He spoke highly of the team and the city. I’m very happy,” he confessed to the media.
Yesterday, Peruzzi satisfactorily completed the medical examinations requested by the Peruvian Football Federation and Alianza Lima and had everything ready to stamp his signature and be officially announced today on social media as the first blue and white reinforcement with a view to the final tournament. The contract, which will unite the versatile right-back (he can also play at centre-back and left-back) with the Victorian squad, is for a year and a half and he would wear the number 30 shirt.
A ‘horse’ on the move
Alianza Lima also wants to complete the integration of attacking midfielder Paolo Hurtado in the next few hours. The ‘Caballito’, who passed the club’s medical check more than a week ago, has the alliance proposal in his possession (Link has been for a year and a half, like Peruzzi) but he hasn’t pledged yet. They expect a positive response from La Victoria.