Pablo Guede, Alianza Lima’s coach, has decided to include Alessandro Burlamaqui in the starting eleven for the classic match against Universitario, scheduled for the ninth round of the 2026 Clausura Tournament. This decision, which reflects his daring approach, is particularly significant at a critical moment for the club.
In the lead-up to this crucial match, Guede explained his choice, noting that he was impressed by Burlamaqui’s recovery after an injury that kept him from participating in the preseason. “The truth is that Burlamaqui, after the injury he had, which prevented him from doing the preseason, has been working very well. I think in the last two matches he came on very well and earned the chance to be in the starting eleven today,” Guede told L1MAX.
This change in the midfield is significant, as it is expected that Burlamaqui will not only bring balance but also strength to stop attacks that begin in the middle of the Matute field.
After his stint at Valencia, where he had a brief start, Burlamaqui was playing in the third tier of Spanish football when Alianza Lima contacted him to strengthen their squad due to a tight schedule. He enthusiastically accepted the move to La Victoria, where he began his journey in Peruvian football under the guidance of Néstor Gorosito, initially playing as a substitute.
In Liga 1, his performance has been positive, with eight matches in the 2025 Clausura Tournament and four more in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. However, he suffered an injury in July that affected his continuity in the team. After his recovery, Guede decided to give him his first starting appearance in the classic scheduled for September 12, 2026.
Alianza Lima arrives at this classic with three games without a win, which has led to discontent among its fans. On the other hand, Universitario boasts five unbeaten matches, although the style of play under Hector Cúper’s direction has been a subject of debate among its supporters. The result of the classic will be crucial in the fight for the leadership of the Clausura 2026, as Alianza Lima has not defeated Universitario at Matute for over five years.
Source: www.infobae.com
