Sporting Cristal and its complicated outlook in attack, with few alternatives, at the start of the season

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Sporting Cristal is preparing for the start of League 1 2024 in the midst of an uncertain outlook for its forwards. Credit: SC Press

Sporting Cristal wants to return to the throne of League 1 and, to do so, has redoubled its efforts to have the best figures in its squad for the 2024 season. However, in recent days some setbacks have arisen at Rímac, which They can affect the start of the new campaign, especially in the clear objective of scoring goals.

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It happens that there is an uncertain outlook for the ‘Rimense’ team’s forward line. On the verge of raising the curtain in the local tournament, coach Enderson Moreira may be left with few variants on offense, due to Martín Cauteruccio’s current complicated situation with his former team and the possible departure of Marlon Perea.

In the first case, the Uruguayan attacker does not have the international transfer certificate (CTI), despite the request that Sporting Cristal made to Independiente de Avellaneda to obtain that important document. Having arrived at Rímac as a “free agent”, after his relationship with the ‘red’ did not end on good terms, complicated the situation.

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However, in the midst of this refusal, the Bajopontino club decided to turn to FIFA so that they could give the player a temporary authorization. It is expected that in the next few hours, the highest world governing body of football will give approval to Cauteruccio so that he can play with Moreira’s team without problems.

Martín Cauteruccio is not yet able to officially play with Sporting Cristal. Credit: SC Press

In the second case, Marlon Perea is a foot and a half outside the ‘Rimense’ institution. The young attacker intends to add minutes this season, so he prefers that Sporting Cristal loan him out in order to fulfill that objective. According to journalist Denilson Barrenechea, his destination would be a Second Division team: Piratas FC.

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But there is still nothing concrete about it so far. The truth is that the possible departure of the twenty-year-old forward and the uncertainty of Cauteruccio’s situation leaves the Rímac team with few goal alternatives to face the start of League 1 2024.

Furthermore, it must be taken into account that Joao Grimaldo is another of the figures in Sporting Cristal’s attack who is also not guaranteed to be present at the club. Although he has been presented in the ‘Tarde Celeste’ and has been the protagonist of the team’s preseason friendlies, the 20-year-old winger continues to analyze his future, as he seeks to make the leap abroad. His loss would be quite affecting, taking into account that in 2023 he was the third top scorer for the ‘Rimenses’ (seven goals).

In the midst of these scenarios, Sporting Cristal has been filled with uncertainty for the start of the campaign. Among the few center forward options in the squad, the figure of Irven Ávila emerges, who was only able to score two goals in League 1 this season. Likewise, the presence of Diego Otoya – 19 years old – who celebrated a goal in the previous season, but so far it has not been tested by Moreira in 2024.

Sporting Cristal has few alternatives in attack for the 2024 season. Credit: Prensa SC

Likewise, Alejandro Hohberg can also play in that position. He has already done it before and that experience supports him. It must be taken into account that, despite not having guaranteed ownership, last season he was the second highest scorer for the ‘Rimenses’ with 11 goals. And that is a big plus for him.

As for the wingers, to fill Grimaldo’s void, there is only Fernando Pacheco – far from his best level – and Maxloren Castro – 16 years old – to play alongside the Argentine Santiago González. The options are slim, but that’s what Sporting Cristal has to deal with for the moment. For now, there is hope that Cauteruccio will be cleared to play and that, thus, the complication will not be greater for the ‘Rimenses’. Likewise, that is a weak point that can affect you at any time during the campaign.