Alianza Lima looks to end road woes against Melgar in Arequipa

Two road draws and a defense that is no longer what it used to be. That sums up the Alianza Lima side heading to Arequipa to face Melgar, and it points to the first item on Pablo Guede's to-do list in this Clausura 2026: he still hasn't won a game on the road.

The Lima club drew 2-2 against Comerciantes Unidos in Cutervo and then tied 1-1 with Sport Boys at the Estadio Nacional. Two matches, two points dropped, and a feeling that stands in sharp contrast to the Apertura, when Alianza showed some of its best form precisely at altitude and away from home. A win in Arequipa against a direct title rival like Melgar would be the perfect way to snap that streak and, at the same time, remain the sole leader of the Clausura.

Not that things have been overwhelming at home either: Alianza has collected the maximum 9 points there, yes, but without the level of play it showed months ago. The clearest difference is on defense. In the Apertura, Alianza was a fortress, allowing just 8 goals in 17 matchdays. So far in the Clausura it has already conceded 5, and it's not just the number, it's how those goals are coming: the team looks exposed in defensive transitions, something that wasn't an issue before.

A Melgar side ready to push them to the limit

That's where Melgar comes in. Miguel Rondelli's team has more than enough firepower to make Alianza pay dearly for any lapse at the back, which makes this Sunday a real stress test for the Lima side's defensive system. If Alianza wants to stay in the title race, it needs to return to that solid version from the Apertura, because the key matches, starting with this one, won't forgive mistakes.

There's another concern brewing: the team's reliance on its stars is becoming obvious now that those stars have gone quiet. Renzo Garces, Paolo Guerrero and Eryc Castillo (the latter the club's top scorer with 14 goals) were decisive at different points of the season, but they've dried up in front of goal lately. The Ecuadorian, in fact, is now being read better by opposing defenses and has gone two straight games without scoring.

All of this comes at a particular point on the calendar: Alianza has three matchdays left before the derby against Universitario de Deportes at Matute, so finding its footing again against Melgar isn't just about the three points on Sunday, it's also about building confidence for what lies ahead.

Melgar and Alianza Lima meet on Sunday, August 23, at 3:30 p.m. (Peru time), broadcast live on Liga 1 Max.