When Jefferson Farfán arrived to assume the leading role in Lima Alliancewere the 18 goals of Hernan Boats those who secured the two-time championship in 2022. A year earlier, the ‘Pirate’ would be just as decisive for a title that was obligatory after the terrible 2020 campaign. Barcos was there; not just being a hero on the court; but also, the example outside of it. This 2023, when the reflectors should point to christian caveOnce again, the 39-year-old striker showed off his stripes to give the institution the calm of knowing that it was the Apertura champion in the midst of a stormy present due to the setbacks in the Libertadores.
And it is that before Binacional, in a year in which his role as protagonist was changed by that of secondary actor; Boats appeared with a brace to defend Alianza Lima; he jointly gave up what could have been a hat-trick for Pablo Lavandeira to score for the first time this year and after the game, he took the floor to praise Christian Cueva, one of the team’s outstanding players.
Boats, as since 2021, does everything right in Alianza Lima. He is the perfect prototype of an idol. And this Sunday, before Binacional, he graduated, once again, as leader.
In a game where Cueva was finally transcendental (one goal and one assist, the first since he arrived at the beginning of the year), against an opponent who, after representing a problem in the first half, ended up being the ideal sparring partner for any team. that you need to forget your problems; Alianza Lima stepped on the accelerator for a good and beautiful 6-1; but above all fair.
Guillermo Salas’ ‘Chichoneta’ rarely had a rival of similar rigor in the local environment. As a Binational, although there were times when he had difficulties, the hierarchy and experience of his squad made it possible to get the result forward. Merit also goes to Guillermo Salas, a national coach who has already done what no foreigner could in the last decade: win in the Libertadores, fight in that tournament and at the same time conclude the first half of the year with a title.
Let’s review the papers of the last decade in Libertadores. With Salas, Alianza Lima forgot about that.
Salas had a difficult time not only because of the external rivals, but also because of the challenge of managing a squad full of figures and difficult egos. To this we had to add the institutional noise, which went from having his head in danger to the lawsuits of the Blanquiazul Fund. Everything affects and in all scenarios Barcos was always there, to ponder solidarity, sacrifice and humility.
The penalty against Binacional paints the hero completely: giving up personal success (the possibility of scoring a hat-trick in the title game and staying one goal away from being the top foreign scorer in Alianza Lima) in exchange for improving his teammate. In a curious definition from twelve steps, the Argentine preferred to play to one side and let Pablo Lavandeira be an emotional champion.
He said it later, he and Lavandeira were practicing and he agreed because Pablo, having a difficult season, had not been able to score all year. Giving them the opportunity is not only a nod to the teammate, it is an example that the group is first and foremost.
Close to 40 years old, no player has been as vital as Barcos on this road to the three-time championship. For his goals, for his calm, his solidarity; but above all, because of how well he plays without the ball: Barcos always scores at the heart of Alianza Lima.
A sentimental champion who does not need a title or crown. Neither kick to the bow.
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