Former Peru manager Ricardo Gareca has praised Peruvian club Cienciano and playmaker Alejandro Hohberg following their historic run to the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals.
Speaking in an interview with sports outlet Flashscore, the Argentine coach highlighted Cienciano's tactical maturity after the Cusco side eliminated Argentina's Lanus and Brazil's Botafogo to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time in 23 years.
Gareca noted that Cienciano's impressive international campaign is built on far more than just their traditional home advantage in the high altitude of Cusco. He stated that the team has proven equally formidable on the road, managing altitude effectively while consistently picking up vital points away from home.
The former national team coach drew specific attention to Hohberg, a player he previously called up to the Peruvian national squad. Gareca said Hohberg is currently experiencing a brilliant moment as the central playmaker for the team, thriving in an unconstrained number 10 role assigned by the coaching staff.
Gareca explained that head coach Horacio Melgarejo positioned Hohberg as a free playmaker and gave him the freedom to act as Cienciano's primary generator of play on the pitch.
Gareca spent seven years in charge of the Peruvian national team, overseeing one of the country's most memorable international periods. During his time leading the national side, Gareca regularly monitored domestic league performers, giving players such as Hohberg international opportunities.
Cienciano, based in the high-altitude city of Cusco in southeastern Peru, holds a historic reputation in South American football. The Copa Sudamericana is the continent's secondary annual club competition organised by CONMEBOL, bringing together qualified teams from across South America alongside the premier Copa Libertadores tournament.
Praise for coaching staff
Gareca also praised Cienciano head coach Horacio Melgarejo and his technical staff for building a highly compact and structured team. He said Melgarejo deserved immense credit for establishing a side that plays out comfortably from the back, remains disciplined defensively, and makes effective use of crosses into the opposition penalty area.
In particular, Gareca highlighted assistant coach Christian Ruggeri, the nephew of former Argentina World Cup winner Oscar Ruggeri. Gareca said he is well aware of how Christian Ruggeri works, praising him as a great tactical mind whose detailed analysis of players has contributed significantly to Cienciano's success both home and away.
Oscar Ruggeri was a prominent central defender for Argentina, winning the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico alongside Diego Maradona. His nephew Christian has formed a key part of Melgarejo's backroom staff at Cienciano, bringing tactical preparation and player analysis to the Peruvian outfit.
Upcoming quarter-final fixture
Cienciano are now preparing for their upcoming quarter-final tie against Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque.
The first leg between Cienciano and City Torque of Uruguay will take place on Thursday, September 10 at the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega in Cusco. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. local Peruvian time.
Montevideo City Torque are a professional football club based in Montevideo, Uruguay, competing in international club football after advancing through the earlier knockout rounds. The match will be played at Cienciano's historic venue, the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, located more than 3,300 metres above sea level in Cusco.
