What seemed like a simple rumor was confirmed this Sunday, July 23. Guillermo Salas is no longer Alianza Lima coach and Colombian Nixon Perea will act as interim coach until the next intimate strategist is appointed. However, more than one wonders what happened that “Chicho” left the blue and white jumpsuit. Mostly because he managed to win the team twice and win the 2022 Inaugural Tournament 2023.
To explain the output of Guillermo SalasIt must be clarified that the members of the board did not agree that he should take over as coach in this new season and they even started to consider different names as his successor, for example Ricardo Gareca. However, “Chicho” remained in command until the draw against Universitario in Matute.
YOU CAN SEE: Alianza Lima decided that “Chicho” Salas shouldn’t continue and they already have a new interim DT
The game idea was not shared by many
Despite Alianza Lima being unbeatable in Matute (Peruvian football), the familiars on more than one occasion put in poor performances. “Chicho” failed to score a single 11 this season. In several of those games, the Blue and Whites just hit attackers with balls or tried to go down the wings, which was read very well by their rivals on duty. We have many examples, such as the actions of César Vallejo and Municipal in Matute and recently the actions of Sport Boys who “walked” with the alliance members.
The blue-whites played a draw against the U in Matute. Photo: The Republic.
The constant injuries in the team
This is an evil that has plagued the Victorian team since the start of the season. Most footballers suffered injuries and even lost several months of competition. One of the problems facing the La Victoria team was that they never filed a complaint about those who were beaten and rumors abounded about the medical reports.
But that’s not all, because the lack of communication was also a critical point. At the time, Guillermo Salas declared that Gino Peruzzi and Andrés Andrade were ready to return to action, however, the former is still absent and the latter is barely playing. There are also the punches of Yordi Vílchez, Sabbag, Franco Saravia, Santiago García, Zambrano, among others.
Andrés Andrade was abroad for several months. Photo: The Republic.
The bad campaign in the Copa Libertadores
At the beginning of the season, the mentality of advancing to the next round prevailed in the board and some speakers. However, the blue-whites finished their group on just four points and despite breaking the 31-game losing streak without a win in that international, they performed poorly against Mineiro, adding two defeats at home and losing the last game to Paranaense.
Alianza Lima only scored 4 points with the Libertadores. Photo: The Republic.
Poor stakeouts and titles for players who don’t deserve a spot
This is a key point that “Chicho” has been blamed for. More than once he finally chose players who didn’t deserve to get into the team, namely as starters. Examples abound, such as Christian Cueva’s inclusion in the Copa Libertadores opening game or when ‘Aladino’ shared a spot with Andrés Andrade when they got in the way.
But that’s not all, as he placed players in positions that didn’t belong to him, such as Yordi Vílchez and Franco Zanelatto on the wing.
Christian Cueva hasn’t scored or provided any assists. Photo: The Republic.
Statements by Guillermo Salas
After that, “Chicho” was not self-critical and indicated that he would be happy with the experience gained. This not only appealed to the fans who attacked the strategist, but also to a section of the board who since then began to see possible reinforcements, especially because of the multi-million dollar investment they had made that they wanted to push forward and not receiving any money from television.
Bad numbers at the Clausura tournament
Although they won the inaugural tournament, the Clausura was not a good start. Out of five matches played in the capital, Alianza Lima won only two (against Atlético Grau and Deportivo Municipal), drew two at home (Sporting Cristal and Universitario) and ended in defeat to the Rosados at the National Stadium. That’s 8 out of 15 possible points.
Alianza Lima does not add wins in Matute in the Clausura. Photo: The Republic.
player statements
Add to that the latest statements from players who are no longer in the squad, like Pablo Lavandeira, and players who are still in the squad, like Zambrano saying they should propose, or when Barcos pointed out that they were uncomfortable on the field, or when Bryan Reyna assured that he was actually there to play and not, as speculated, was left out of the starting XI due to injury.