Cienciano 1 – 1 Universitario June 22 match recap: Could’ve been better

Universitario leaves Cusco with 1 point after a promising start of the Clausura vs Cienciano. After grabbing a 1st half lead with a Martin Perez Guedes goal, the (U) couldn’t hold on to the lead late in the 2nd half.

With important players like Alex Valera, Rodrigo Ureña, Andy Polo, & Jose Carvallo absent last night, the (U) couldn’t produce enough to win. Backup goalkeeper Diego Romero stepped up for the match last night for Carvallo and played above expectations. Luis Urruti has been limited in the past few matches got the start for Valera while Alfonso Barco fills in for Rodrigo Ureña.

Martin Perez Guedes scored in the 21st minute after shooting the open rebound. Piero Quispe had a good shot on goal but hit the left bar while Emmanuel Herrera had his misses too. The downside of the solid 1st half was the performance of Barco. Barco made no effort and never marked offensively to help the cremas to another possible goal. Barco was subbed out early in the 2nd half which did not mattered since the cremas did absolutely nothing for the last 45 minutes.

Cienciano leveled scoring in the 82nd minute by Carlos Garces who scored off a terrific cross plus an unaware crema defense. The (U) ran out of gas late in the 2nd half and it cost them the much needed 3 points on the road. What also cost the (U) the 3 points is the missing key players such as Valera & Ureña who would’ve contribute a lot more.

Next match will be at the MonUmental on Wednesday for the Copa Sudamericana vs Gimnasia. A spot for the Copa Sudamericana knockout stages is on the line. It’s a must win match in front of a sold out crowd. The next Liga 1 match will also be at the MonUmental vs Alianza Atletico Sullana on Monday July 3.