Sporting Cristal vs. Universidad Católica: the hard present of the 'crusaders' prior to the duel for Copa Libertadores 2022

Sporting Cristal has not been going through a good football moment. The recent defeat to Cesar Vallejo University in Liga 1 has further sunk a team that will try to reverse this situation when they face a visit to Universidad Católica on the second round of group H of the 2022 Copa Libertadores. In that sense, we will review the complicated actuality of the 'crossed' painting in the preview of this duel.

To begin with, it should be mentioned that those led by Cristian Paulucci are the reigning champions of Chilean football. Although his present is not at all encouraging. And it is that in the 9 games that have been played to date, they have scored 12 points, ranking ninth. In addition, from the last 7 matches they have lost 6 times with just 1 win. In fact, the defeat they had last Saturday, April 09 to Deportes La Serena by 2 to 0 ended up plunging them into the PlanVital Championship standings.

This last fall, added to the one they had on the first date of the continental tournament against Talleres de Córdoba, only indicates that the team is in a tailspin. Precisely, the Argentine coach demonstrated at the end of the match last weekend to describe the moment of the 'crusados'. “We hit rock bottom and the only one responsible is me. We played a bad game, they easily convert us without being able to give three or four passes in a row. A lot of things are happening and I reiterate that I am solely responsible,” he admitted.

Now, before the 'garnet' draw, Paulucci sent an alternate eleven to the field thinking about the match against Sporting Cristal, but it didn't work. “Today (yesterday Saturday) I stopped an alternative eleven that is starting in any other team, with very good players who even have a pass through the national team, so this is not a rotation problem, I am responsible. Either I'm not getting to the footballers or something is happening. A lot of things have to be rethought, I have to talk to the players and see what happens,” he said.

He also hinted that if his departure is the solution, he would accept it, but first he will talk with the players to find out if there are any problems. “I feel with the same energy, we trained the same way we trained last year to win 14 dates in a row. Sometimes players get tired of coaches and it usually happens. I want to see what happens, talk these days to see what happens to see how this continues. I don't want to be a nuisance to the club,” he said.

MAXIMUM FIGURES

Argentine striker Fernando Zampedri and Chilean Gonzalo Tapia have been the team's top scorers so far this season. The 'gaucho' has 6 goals in 9 matches, while the 20-year-old attacker has turned 2 goals into 8 appearances. In addition, they have on their squad the experienced Diego Buonanotte, who at the age of 33 faces his seventh season in the cast of the 'Franja' and accumulates 2 assists in 8 commitments this 2022.

Undoubtedly, a very low performance considering that this Tuesday they will receive the Peruvian team, which is also in a delicate moment, especially after the last defeat to César Vallejo University.

SPORTING CRISTAL LOW LEVEL

Players such as Alejandro Hohberg, Gianfranco Chavez, Percy Liza, Jhilmar Lora, among others, have significantly lowered their level compared to last year, when they came out national runners-up. In fact, coach Roberto Mosquera has not been able to reverse the situation and the atmosphere of the 'rimenses' is not optimal. Hence, the Copa Libertadores match against the Chileans at the San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium will be essential to change the face of the team thinking about a promotion in its performance.

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