Alianza Lima

Alianza Lima

Full name	Club Alianza Lima
Nickname(s)	Blanquiazules (white and blues), Victorianos, Grones, Intimos (Intimates), Potrillos (colts), El Rodillo Negro (the Black Roller), El Equipo del Pueblo (the People's Team)
Founded	1901
Ground	Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, Lima (Capacity: 35,000)
President	Guillermo Alarcón
D.T.	Gustavo Costas
League	Primera División Peruana
2009	2nd Stage 1 = 3rd Stage 2 = 1st Stage 3 = 2nd
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Club Alianza Lima is a Peruvian First Division football club who play at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in the La Victoria District of Lima, Peru.

Alianza enjoyed success throughout the first decades of the professional era. The club's success disappeared in the 1980s; in 1987, tragedy struck Alianza when nearly the entire squad and coaching staff were killed in an airplane crash as the team was returning from an away fixture. The disaster worsened the title drought, which lasted until 1997. Alianza moved to its current stadium, named for Alejandro Villanueva, a 1930s Alianza player who is considered to have been the first great Peruvian footballer.

The club is considered one of the top teams in Peruvian football, along with its archrival Universitario de Deportes and powerhouse Sporting Cristal. It has won a total of 22 League titles, three less than Universitario and seven more than Cristal.^[1] The club is one of the most popular sides in Peru, a distinction shared with Universitario. Alianza last won the League championship in 2006, and came in as runner-up in the 2009 edition of the tournament. It participated in the 2010 edition of the international Copa Libertadores tournament, where the side was eliminated in the round of 16 by C.F. Universidad de Chile.

History

Beginnings

The club was founded with the name Sport Alianza on 15 February 1901 by workers in the Alianza Racing Horse Stud, then property of twice President of Peru Augusto B. Leguía. The stud was located in downtown Lima at the time.

The club is the oldest professional football team in Peru. It was founded on February 15, 1901, as Sport Alianza, named for the stable that hosted its first games. It is the only surviving founding member of the Peruvian Football League, created in 1912. The club's first kit was green and white, honoring founding member Eduardo Pedreschi's Italian heritage. Beginning in 1912, the colors of the Alianza stables, blue, white and black were used, and by the 1920s the classic vertically-striped jersey had become the definitive kit. After a name change to Alianza Lima in 1920, the club continued to compete on an amateur level until 1951, when the League turned professional. The closeness between players earned them the nickname los íntimos (The Intimates).

Alianza participated in the amateur era of the Peruvian football league since the inaugural season 1912, winning its first title in 1918. During its first years, it played irregularly against other teams from Lima and the port of Callao. Its matches against Atlético Chalaco from Callao stirred interest as a clash between limeños and chalacos. Sport Alianza had started to become a popular team drawing large support.

Three-peat and relegation

While the Alianza stud changed owners and locations continuously, the team was forced to constantly relocate in turn, until 1928, when under the new name Alianza Lima, the club settled in the third block of the Manco Capac avenue in the La Victoria District, where it would stay and become emotionally attached.

That same year they played against the Federación Universitaria (University Federation) for the first time, which would be later renamed Universitario de Deportes and become their greatest rivals in what is today the most important Peruvian derby.

The 1930s brought great joy and frustration to the team. In 1931, 1932 and 1933, Alianza Lima won three championships in a row for the first time in Peruvian football. But the memory of this achievement should be tainted by the relegation in 1938. After a year in the Second Division the team returned to the first level and has stayed there ever since.

Titles and Cup Performances

During the 1940s, and start of the professional era in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Alianza would win 10 championships. The club won two Peruvian titles in a row in 1977 and 1978, when its players formed the majority of the Peru national football team. The team played the 1978 Copa Libertadores, in which they failed to reach the final after losing to Deportivo Cali 1-4; and the 1979 Copa Libertadores where they did not get a single point. By this time, the club already played at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in the neighborhood of Matute, La Victoria, where there is vast identification with the team.

1980s decade

The 1980s were probably the most bitter years in the club's history. During the first years of the decade, despite having very good players, Alianza could not obtain titles, some which were snatched by Sporting Cristal, which was establishing itself as one of the three big football clubs of Peru.

1987 air tragedy

In 1987, Alianza Lima was first in the standings with a few matches left, and it looked like a new title would be obtained, but tragedy got in the way. On 7 December of that year, Alianza made a trip to Pucallpa to play against Deportivo Pucallpa for the league. The match was won 1-0, with Carlos Bustamante scoring. The team took a charter flight for the trip back. The flight departed on 8 December in a Peruvian Navy Fokker F27 airplane, which crashed into the sea when it was a few kilometers away from the Lima-Callao Airport, close to the Ventanilla district in Callao. The only survivor was the pilot, all the players and coaching staff died.

Alianza finished the championship playing with members of the youth team and a few players on loan from Chile club Colo-Colo, which had offered to help. Friendship between both teams has been strong since then. Alianza could not keep the first place and its greatest rival, Universitario de Deportes, obtained the title.

The team had to restart from scratch and even former players who had already retired, like Teófilo Cubillas, or others who were about to, like Cesar Cueto, played to help the club get out of these bitter times.

Alianza Lima was close to relegation in 1988, but it managed to hold on in the last matches. In the next few years, despite being competitive, it failed to obtain a title. This drought extended until 1997, which closed 18 sad seasons without winning a single championship and having lost a very promising team.

The titles and the centenary

In 1997, Alianza Lima obtained its first title after 18 years, under Colombian manager Jorge Luis Pinto. In 1999 it came in second place, after losing to Universitario in the finals. In the early hours 2000, tragedy struck again when young captain Sandro Baylón died in a car accident after crashing with a post while driving under the influence of alcohol.

In 2001 the club celebrated its centenary and obtained the national title after beating Cienciano in Cusco on penalty kicks. Later on, Alianza Lima would win the 2003 and 2004 championships, defeating Sporting Cristal in both finals, this time under Argentinian manager Gustavo Costas. In 2006 Alianza Lima won again the championship beating Cienciano del Cusco in the final play-off, enabling them to play the Copa Libertadores in 2007, in which they did not achieve a single point, like in the 1979 edition. The best team actually in Peru.

Colours

Alianza Lima's traditional uniform. The number of stripes the jersey carries has changed over the years.

The kit used during October in honor of the club's patron saint.

The team's home colours consists of a shirt with navy blue and white vertical stripes, navy blue shorts and navy blue socks. Its away colours are not commonly used nor well established, playing sometimes in blue, white or green.

During the month of October, as a tribute to the Lord of Miracles, patron of the team, the regular colours are switched for purple and white. The color purple is often associated with the religious image and its procession.

(1901-1911)

(1912-1919)

(1912-1945)

(1920-1925)

(1926-2010)

Rivalries

Alianza Lima has had a long standing rivalry with Universitario, Sporting Cristal, Deportivo Municipal, and Sport Boys.

Stadium

Tribuna preferencial del estadio Alejandro Villanueva.

The Club's headquarters are located at the district of La Victoria, city of Lima.

The infrastructure includes the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium (also known as Matute) with a capacity of 35,000, training facilities and administrative offices.

The stadium was inaugurated in April 11, 1965 in a press conference that expressed gratitude to the Peruvian President Manuel Odría, who approved the donation of land that belonged to the Peruvian State.

Uruguayan architect Walter Lavalleja was responsible for the project, with contribution by Alfonso De Souza-Ferreyra. The first phase of works began in May 30, 1969.

Supporters

Afición aliancista en el estadio.

In years 2001, 2002 and 2003 Apoyo Opinión y Mercado conducted a comparative research about the composition of the Peruvian supporters: According to the survey, 76% of the respondents supported a football team and 24% had no preference. In 2001, results placed Alianza Lima first with 42% of the answers followed by Universitario with 35%. In 2002, the numbers varied but not significantly. Alianza Lima got 43% Universitario 37% and Sporting Cristal 13% of the answers. Alianza for 2003 reached nearly 50% of preferences compared with 31% of Universitario and 17% of Sporting Cristal. For socio-economic levels, Alianza won in A, C, D and E class, while the Universitario was leader in B class. The research found that Alianza’s supporters grow when the respondents where of down living standards (in the E class have the 63%).^[2]

In a study of the Compañía Peruana de Estudios de Mercado y Opinión Pública called "Profile of children and adolescents" between men and women from 11 to 17 years in Lima, Alianza wins with the 50% of preferences, followed by Universitario with 37%. Sporting Cristal won the 8% and other teams joined a 5%.^[3]

In 2004, a study of the Compañía Peruana de Investigación de Mercados (CPI) gives them the first place in terms of preferences at the population of Lima. 29.7% of the respondents revealed that they’re fans of Alianza. The same study indicates that 27.8% is a fan of Universitario de Deportes. Meanwhile, a 9.2% indicated to be a fan of Sporting Cristal, 3.0% of Cienciano del Cusco, 2.7% of the Sport Boys Callao, 1.1% of the Municipal Sports and a 24.4% did not sympathize with any team.^[4]

Despite the continuing controversy over which team is the most popular (between Alianza and Universitario) a survey of Apoyo Opinión y Mercado in 2006 revealed that 54% of Peruvians where soccer fans, and ensures that Alianza Lima owns 35% of the preferences, followed by Universitario, with 32%, and bit further away, Sporting Cristal with 17%, while the remaining teams have a combined 11%.^[5]

Also in 2006, in Trujillo, another survey revealed that Alianza Lima where 26% owned, 25% Universitario, 13% Sporting Cristal, Cienciano 7%, César Vallejo 4% Other 2% None 20% No 4% accurate.^[6]

In 2007, a survey conducted by the Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima, allowed to ratify the results of previous years. Alianza Lima leads the polls with 31% followed by 22.6% of Universitario, Sporting Cristal 9.3%, 5.5% Cienciano, Sport Boys Deportivo Municipal and 2.1% 1.1%. In the same survey by socioeconomic level, Alianza won B, C, D and E classes. Universitario, marked differences in class A.^[7]

In 2007 too, a study conducted by Arellano Márketing Investigación y Consultoría in 5300 Peruvians of various ages and socioeconomic backgrounds from 16 cities, gives the first place to Alianza with the 38.3% of preferences, followed by Universitario (34.3%) above appears Sporting Cristal with 15.4% of preferences, and other teams have a combined 13.3%.^[8]

In February 2008, the University of Lima revealed Alianza Lima enjoyed, like in previous years, the highest popularity, although this time by a narrower margin. Alianza won with the 29.6% against 29.5% of Universitario. It must be said that the survey was conducted in Metropolitan Lima and Callao. In 2008 also, according to a nationwide survey conducted by ICC, Universitario won with the 38.3% of preferences, Alianza 33.5%, and Sporting Cristal 14.5%.^[9]

In October of the same year, Alianza lead preferences with 40% in Lima and Callao, according to a study by Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima. The survey also revealed that 4 out of 10 Peruvians was a fan of Alianza. The escort teams where Universitario de Deportes and Sporting Cristal with 35.5% and 13.5%. The list is completed with Cienciano del Cusco with 3.3% to 2.1% Coronel Bolognesi, Sport Boys Callao with 1.7% and 1.1% with Deportivo Municipal. The remaining teams occupy 0.5%.^[10]

A survey of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru between November and December 2008 confirmed that Alianza is the most popular team with the 27% preference in Lima and Callao. Universitario de Deportes was 21%, and Sporting Cristal 8%. The remaining teams joined by 3%. The survey conducted by the home study was conducted in 15 major urban provinces of Peru. In this regard, Alianza led again with a total 24%, followed by Universitario de Deportes (20%), Sporting Cristal (9%) Cienciano (3%), FBC Melgar (2%) and Sport Boys (1%) . 35% of those questioned claimed to have no sympathy whatsoever.^[11] A survey conducted by Ipsos support between 17 and December 19, 2008, Universitario de Deportes ranked first in popularity with 34%, one percentage point below Alianza Lima with 33%. The survey was conducted of 515 people older than 18 years and residents of the 16 main cities.

In 2009, CPI released another poll indicating the Universitario was still the most popular team in Peru with 38.6% while Alianza reached 33.1%. A survey conducted by Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima in February, 2009, said that Alianza Lima ranked first in popularity with 27,2% below Universitario with 26,6%. The list continue with Sporting Cristal (10,3%), Sport Boys (3,4%), Cienciano (2,4%), Deportivo Municipal (0,4%), Universidad San Martín (0,4%).^[12]

Presidents

President Period José Carreño 1901–1902 Carlos Villarreal 1903–1904 Esteban Manuel Aranda 1905–1906 Manuel Carballo 1907–1908 Julio Chacaltana Chacón 1909–1910 Foción Mareátegui 1911 Ricardo Pérez 1911–1914 Carlos Pedreschi Penisqui 1915–1918 Ernesto Vergara 1918–1919 Hipólito Venegas 1920–1924 Manuel Parra del Riego 1925–1926 Juan Bromley Seminario 1927–1931 Víctor Oyaque 1931 Juan Carbone Gardella 1931–1933

President Period Adolfo Pedreschi 1934 Carlos Arias Schreiber 1935 Jorge Checa Eguiguren 1936–1940 Humberto Fernandini 1941 José Vásquez Benavides 1942-44 and 1951-60 Augusto Mulanovich 1945-50 and 1961-72 Luis Vargas Hornes 1972–1974 Enrique Zevallos Távara 1975–1982 Agustín Merino Tapia 1983–1989 Alberto Espantoso Pérez 1990–1993 Pío Dávila Esquenazi 1994–1996 Alberto Masías Ramírez 1996–2001 Alfonso de Souza-Ferreyra 2002–2009 Guillermo Alarcón 2010–2013

Managers

Managers champions of First Division

Manager	Years	Titles
Guillermo Rivero	1928–1934	1928, 1931, 1932, 1933
Adelfo Magallanes Campos	1946-1948 1954-1956	1948, 1954, 1955
Luis Guzmán	1952–1953	1952
Jaime de Almeida	1961–1966	1962, 1963, 1965
Marcos Calderón	1975–1976	1975
Juan Eduardo Hohberg	1977–1978	1977, 1978
Jorge Luis Pinto	1997–1998	1997
Bernabé Herraez	2001	2001
Gustavo Costas	2003–2004	2003, 2004
Gerardo Pelusso	2006–2007	2006

Sponsors

Top scorers

Championship	Player	Goals
Campeonato Amateur 1928	Alejandro Villanueva	3
Campeonato Amateur 1931	Alejandro Villanueva	16
Campeonato Amateur 1949	Juan Emilio Salinas	18
Campeonato Profesional 1952	Juan Emilio Salinas	22
Campeonato Profesional 1955	Máximo Mosquera	11
Campeonato Profesional 1958	Juan Joya	17
Campeonato Profesional 1963	Pedro Pablo León	13
Campeonato Descentralizado 1966	Teófilo Cubillas	19
Campeonato Descentralizado 1967	Pedro Pablo León	14
Campeonato Descentralizado 1970	Teófilo Cubillas	22
Campeonato Descentralizado 1977	Freddy Ravello	21
Campeonato Descentralizado 1981	José Carranza	15
Campeonato Descentralizado 1993	Waldir Sáenz	31
Campeonato Descentralizado 1996	Waldir Sáenz	19

Current squad

As of June 15, 2010^[13] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK George Forsyth 2 DF Eduardo Uribe 3 DF Edgar Villamarín 4 DF Leandro Fleitas 5 DF Pedro Aparicio 6 MF Joel Sánchez 7 MF Marko Ciurlizza 8 MF Juan Jayo 9 FW Claudio Velásquez 11 MF Henry Quinteros 12 GK Salomón Libman 13 DF Felix Goyzueta 14 DF Carlos Solís

No. Position Player 16 MF Jorge Molina 17 MF Jean Tragodara 19 FW Roberto Ovelar 21 GK Jesús Cisneros 22 FW José Carlos Fernández 23 DF Amilton Prado 24 MF Oscar Vílchez 25 FW Cristofer Soto 26 MF Paolo Hurtado 27 MF Luis Trujillo 28 MF Edgar González 29 DF Kerwin Peixoto -- MF José Rivas

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player -- GK Eder Hermoza (On loan at Sport Ancash) -- DF Jairo Hernández (On loan at Coronel Bolognesi) -- MF Ernesto Salazar (On loan at Real Academia FC) -- MF Juan Carlos La Rosa (On loan at Juan Aurich) -- FW Jhoao Ward (On loan at José Galvez)

Noted players

Achievements

National Tournaments

• Peruvian First Division
  • Winner (22)^[1] : 1918, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006.
  • Runner-up (20): 1914, 1917, 1930, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1943, 1953, 1956, 1961, 1964, 1971, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2009.
• Apertura:
  • Winner (4): 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006
  • Runner-up (3): 1999, 2002, 2003
• Clausura:
  • Winner (3): 1997, 1999, 2003
  • Runner-up (2): 1998, 2002
• Torneo Descentralizado «B»:
  • Winner (1): 1988
• Peruvian Second Division
  • Winner (1): 1939

Official Local Tournaments

• Campeonato Regional:
  • Runner-up (2): 1986, 1990-II.
• Campeonato Regional - Zona Metropolitana:
  • Winner (3): 1985, 1989-I, 1990-II.
• Campeonato Interregional:
  • Winner (1): 1977.
• Campeonato Plácido Galindo - Zona Metropolitana:
  • Winner (1): 1989.

Friendly International Tournaments

• Copa Simón Bolívar
  • Winner (1): 1976-II
• Copa El Gráfico-Perú
  • Winner (2): 1999, 2003
• Copa Marlboro
  • Runner-up (1): 1990

Performance in CONMEBOL competitions

• Copa Libertadores: 21 appearances (1963, 1964, 1966, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010).
  • Semifinalist (2): 1976, 1978
• Copa Sudamericana: 2 appearances

2002: Quarter-Final

2003: Preliminary Round

• Copa CONMEBOL: 1 appearance

1996: First Round

• Copa Merconorte: 4 appearances

1998: Group Stage

1999: Semi-Final

2000: Group Stage

2001: Group Stage

See also

• Peruvian football league
• Peruvian Polka Dedicated to the Club Alianza Lima

References

External links

• Club Alianza Lima Official Club Website