Referee Micke Palomino will officiate his first Peruvian football derby when Alianza Lima host Universitario de Deportes at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva on Saturday.
The National Commission of Referees appointed Palomino for the ninth matchday fixture of the Liga 1 Torneo Clausura. The match marks the second time the two rival teams have met during the current season.
The clash carries major significance for the league standings as both Lima clubs push for the Clausura title. Alianza Lima manager Pablo Guede faces a critical fixture with no remaining margin for error, needing a victory to keep his side in the championship race.
Universitario de Deportes enter the match seeking a win that would allow them to claim top spot in the league table under head coach Hector Cuper.
Match officials appointed
CONAR confirmed the complete refereeing panel for Saturday's derby. Palomino will lead the team on the field, marking his debut as principal referee in Peru's premier rivalry.
Michael Orue and Stephen Atoche have been named as the first and second assistant referees respectively. Alexander Zapata will fulfill duties as the fourth official on the touchline.
Video review operations will be managed by Alejandro Villanueva as the VAR official, supported by Raul Lopez as assistant VAR. Romel Lopez has been assigned as the match quality manager for the fixture.
Kickoff times and broadcast information
The match will take place on Saturday, September 12, at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, a venue capable of accommodating 33,000 spectators. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local Peruvian time.
International broadcast times for the fixture include 7:00 p.m. in Costa Rica and Mexico, and 8:00 p.m. in Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States eastern region, including Miami, New York, and Washington D.C.
The match will kick off at 9:00 p.m. in Bolivia, Chile, and Venezuela, and at 10:00 p.m. in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Viewers in Spain can follow the action starting at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13.
Television coverage will be broadcast live on L1 Max, the channel holding rights to air all domestic tournament matches. Free online pre-match coverage and minute-by-minute text updates will be provided by La Republica.
Background on the rivalry
The derby between Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes, known locally as the clasico, is the central fixture in Peruvian domestic football. Liga 1 is divided into the Apertura and Clausura tournaments, with the winner of each stage competing for the overall national championship.
Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, located in the La Victoria district of Lima, has served as Alianza Lima's home ground since 1974. The venue, popularly known as Matute, frequently hosts high-stakes league encounters and continental club competitions.
