Christian Ceva played as a starter in the match between Alliance of Lima against Athletico Paranense until the 1st date of the Copa Libertadores 2023. Coach Guillermo ‘Chicho’ Salas decided to put the blue and white midfielder in the starting XI despite not coming with rhythm. In the game against the Brazilians, Cueva was unable to assert himself and was substituted in the second half. Now, Reimond Manco revealed that ‘Aladino’ had a fever the day before the Libertadores game, but he asked to play and got the coach’s trust.
“My absolute respect for him, nobody knows that, I know. Cueva had a fever of 39ºC two days before and the next day he had 40ºC. Cueva didn’t want to play that game. He asked ‘Chicho’ to play that match and that speaks for him a lot because it shows that he is committed and wants to play,” Manco explained on the streaming show “Cojo y Manco”.
The former PSV footballer only had words of admiration for Cueva. “Rei” highlighted the brave attitude of “Aladdin”. want to play an international match despite a fever. I know too referred to the importance of Guillermo Salas considering this and has given him all the confidence to play a crucial signing as the intimate side debut in continental competition.
“For me what he did is admirable. He had a fever days before that he played a lot shows his value. Good for ‘Chicho’. Because what Cueva had done in the first half, (if he) a other player was, he would have taken it out and not let him continue in the second half. But ‘Chicho’ gave him confidence again and gave him 69 or 70 minutes. It speaks a lot for this relationship,” he said.
Likewise, Manco pointed out that Guillermo Salas knows that if Cueva plays more and is doing well, the midfielder will shine with his football in the Peruvian tournament and help Alianza Lima achieve their goals.