Óscar Ibáñez, former goalkeeper of Cienciano, urged his former team to be cautious in the return match against Montevideo City Torque, scheduled for this Thursday in Uruguay. Despite the two-goal advantage obtained in the first leg, Ibáñez emphasized that “the tie is open”.
Ibáñez recalled that the two-goal difference does not guarantee qualification, highlighting the opponent’s ability to turn the score around. “They have to defend what they won at home. The opponent is leading their league and allows you to play them on equal terms. The tie is open, but it’s good to have a two-goal lead,” he pointed out in an interview.
The former player also expressed his satisfaction in seeing Cienciano recalling their historic campaign of 2003, when the team became champions of the Copa Sudamericana, the first international title for a Peruvian club. He acknowledged the value of the performance of the current team managed by Horacio Melgarejo, which has eliminated more traditional opponents in the tournament but warned that confidence could be a double-edged sword.
“In Cienciano, what happened to us is happening: you start to believe it because you eliminated Lanús and Botafogo. You prepare to hold onto a favorable result, and the opponent is surely going to take risks. I hope it will be a match that allows them to advance,” asserted Ibáñez.
Additionally, the former goalkeeper commented on the mistake of goalkeeper Alejandro Duarte in the last classic of Peruvian football, where his error caused Alianza Lima’s defeat in the last minute. Ibáñez emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive perspective, reminding that Duarte has been key in other victories for his team.
Regarding Alianza Lima’s next match, Ibáñez suggested that coach Pablo Guede should back Duarte and keep him in the starting eleven for the player to regain his confidence.
Source: www.infobae.com
