Only a few days remain until the long-awaited duel between Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes on the third day of the Apertura tournament. However, the Blue and Whites will not be an important element in the offensive for the game that will be played at the National Stadium this Saturday, February 10th.
Pablo Sabbag took part in the small team's training sessions this Monday after playing with the Syrian national team in the Asian Cup. However, the Colombia-born striker suffered from ankle problems.
The blue and white club subjected Sheikh to some medical examinations to rule out any serious injury. However, his presence in the game against the Creams would be practically impossible. In the worst case scenario, the 26-year-old would be out of action for 40 to 45 days.
This is not the first time that Sabbag has suffered a complication in this area, as this injury saw the attacker miss most of the 2023 Clausura tournament and had to have his ankle cleaned in Colombia.
The blue and white technical team had planned to use Sabbag for the duel with the Ate team, but had to change their plans.
It is worth remembering that this is the Colombian's second season as a player in the blue and white team. In the 2023 season, Sheikh recorded a total of 27 games, of which he scored 10 goals (9 for the 1st League and 1 for the Libertadores).
Despite Sabbag's withdrawal from the classic, Alejandro Restrepo has Hernán Barcos and Cecilio Waterman in attack. The Panamanian has made a good start to the Apertura after scoring goals in games against Universidad César Vallejo and Alianza Atlético de Sullana.
In four days, Alianza Lima and Universitario will star in one of the most anticipated matches of Liga 1 2024. Both clubs remain at the top of the Apertura after victories in the first two days.
The Blue and Whites and the Familiars will meet again in the local competition after the 2023 League 1 final, where the “U” were crowned national champions with a 2-0 win in the second leg in Matute.
The cast of “La Victoria” will try to take revenge on their eternal rival, while the student team will try to repeat the result of November 8th.
Although Alianza Lima will be at home for the first Classic of the year, the match will be played at the National Stadium as the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium was closed until May due to the power outage in the second final.
Alianza will submit a request for strict sanctions against Ureña
In the first classic of the 2024 season, the team led by Fabián Bustos will suffer the loss of Chilean midfielder Rodrigo Ureña, who made controversial gestures after being sent off in the match against Atlético Grau at the Monumental de Ate Stadium on matchday two of the opening of the Liga 1 tournament.
The blue and white institution will officially submit the complaint against the “U” player to the FPF Disciplinary Commission, with the aim that the footballer can receive a drastic punishment. Alianza Lima's request would be to suspend Rodrigo Ureña not just for one appointment but for several days.