Overview
- Alianza Lima have opened the Serie Río de la Plata with two defeats to Independiente and Unión de Santa Fe.
- Journalists report several fitness issues: Paolo Guerrero with a contracture, Kevin Quevedo with a second-degree sprain, and Pedro Aquino sidelined by a blister, with Fernando Gaibor held out as a precaution and Luis Ramos and Jean Pierre Archimbaud still managed.
- Coach Pablo Guede attended Colo Colo vs. Olimpia to study the next opponent and may alter his lineup for January 18.
- The Colo Colo fixture is set for January 18 at Estadio Parque Viera in Montevideo, with live coverage on ESPN via Disney Plus across South America and on ESPN Premium in Argentina.
- Local commentators have questioned Alianza’s creativity and cohesion, with Mr Peet citing the lack of a playmaker and Andrés ‘Cóndor’ Mendoza urging a different role for Sergio Peña and praising Jairo Vélez.