The state of euphoria has been in place in Peru for days. Specifically, since Alianza Lima managed to defeat Boca Juniors at La Bombonera on penalties and advanced to the next round. However, there is still one final hurdle to overcome in order to be part of this year's Copa Libertadores. Tonight, they visit Iquique in the last preliminary round before finishing in Lima.

Iquique is not in its best form

Like Alianza Lima, Iquique arrives at this final preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores after beating Santa Fe on penalties in Bogotá. However, the Chilean team is aware that they will need to build a solid advantage in the first match, as Alianza Lima has not lost a game this season while playing at home.

Iquique is focusing its efforts on qualifying for the Copa Libertadores. This situation has affected them in the domestic league, where they’ve suffered three consecutive defeats: “We have to take advantage of this opportunity to help the players recover psychologically and get back into the focus of the Copa Libertadores,” said coach Miguel Ramírez.

Gorosito doesn’t underestimate Iquique

Alianza Lima, however, took advantage of the momentum from their qualification against Boca Juniors and found the strength to come back against Sporting Cristal thanks to goals from Paolo Guerrero and Alan Cantero. It was a match where Nestor Gorosito took the opportunity to rest several key players, thinking ahead to the Copa Libertadores match against Iquique.

Some might think that, after eliminating Boca Juniors, Alianza Lima will qualify for the Copa Libertadores without playing the eliminator against Iquique. However, Gorosito already made it clear that it won’t be easy: “We’re facing them with the same responsibility. It’s going to be a very tough match. In fact, I think it will be even tougher than the one against Boca Juniors.”