the League 1 2023 begins this Friday, January 27, with the duel between Deportivo Binacional and the Tarma Sports Association (ADT) in Juliaca. There are several teams that will try to rise to the top of the Peruvian soccer. However, not all are favorites for the championship. From the Alianza Lima to the Universitario de Deportes, see in this note which institutions are called “candidates” to win the national football cup.
Alliance of Lima
Without a doubt, La Victoria lingerie are the big favorites to win the tournament and become triple champions. Important figures such as Carlos Zambrano in defense came into the squad that was crowned in 2022; Andrés Andrade, Bryan Reyna, Franco Zanelatto and Gabriel Costa at the wheel; and Colombian Pablo Sabbag to reinforce the attack.
Although they still leave many doubts open at international level, this team was put together to become champions at the end of the year and it would be a complete failure not to achieve it.
The familiars are the current Peruvian soccer champions. Photo: Alianza Lima/Twitter
University of Sports
The Blue and Whites’ compadre, while not enjoying a good economic present right now, is no stranger to being viewed as a contender for Premier League glory. Especially with the terrific signings they’ve made, eh Horacio Calcaterra, Emanuel Herrera, Rodrigo Urena, Martin Perez Guedes and Alex Valera.
Carlos Compagnucci’s team wants to fight until the final dates in the Peruvian league, which they haven’t won since 2013.
The creams received their last star in 2013. Photo: Universitario de Deportes/Twitter
Sporting Crystal
The light blue team surprised many by announcing the arrival of Brazilian coach Tiago Nunes, who won the Copa Sudamericana with Athletico Paranaense. Likewise, they have expanded their team with important elements such as Jostin Alarcón, Adrián Ascues and Brenner Marlos.
La Máquina Celeste is another favorite in Peruvian football. As we recall, they last managed to lift the trophy in 2020 when they defeated Universitario in the grand final.
In 2020, La Máquina Celeste was champion for the last time. Photo: Sporting Cristal/Twitter
FBC Melgar
Without making much noise, the lion of the south has been bolstered in all the right ways. Names like veteran Pablo Magnín, young Jhamir D’Arrigo and Tomás Martínez were added to the team that advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana. Likewise, it keeps its main characters, such as Bernardo Cuesta, Luis Iberico, Alexis Arias, Alec Deneumostier, among others.
The Arequipeños are playing the Copa Libertadores of the current 2023 season, so they want to repeat their big hit from last year, but this time in the highest tournament in the South American club arena.
The red-black squad is currently runners-up in League 1. Photo: FBC Melgar/Twitter