Universitario - Cienciano: lineups, drama and a sold-out Monumental ahead of big Apertura clash

Universitario returns to the Monumental tonight for the third round of the Torneo Apertura 2026, facing Cienciano in a match billed as a heavyweight local test. Kickoff is set for 8: 30 p. m. ET in front of a full house — organizers say 55, 000 tickets were sold — and both teams arrive with tactical plans and a few selection headaches that could decide the result.

Team news and probable lineups

Injury and selection choices shaped the final lists. Universitario will be missing Yuriel Celi from the squad by technical decision, while José 'Tunche' Rivera, Anderson Santamaría and Matías di Benedetto were left out of the matchday group. Sekou Gassama and Silveira are on the bench and both have a realistic chance of seeing minutes.

• Probable Universitario XI: Romero; Fara, Riveros, Inga; Reyna, Castillo, Pérez Guedes, Concha, Polo; Alzugaray, Valera.
• Bench (selected): Vargas, Corzo, Carabalí, Ancajima, Murrugarra, Calcaterra, Fértoli, Silveira, Gassama.
• Probable Cienciano XI: Falcón; Aguilar, Becerra, Núñez, Robles; Barreto, Aguirre, Arias, Hohberg; Bandiera, Garcés.
• Cienciano substitutes include Espinoza, Amondarain, Yovera, Sandoval, Succar, Cavero, Martinich, Caparó, Colunga.

What to watch tactically

Cienciano plans to press and match Universitario physically. Midfielder Santiago Arias was candid about the task ahead: "The 'U' is a team that runs a lot, pressures, and tries to nullify the opponent. The game is to be played equal to equal — we want to press them and try to take something from the Monumental. "

Coaching staff from both sides have studied attacking options carefully. Universitario coach Javier Rabanal left open the possibility of introducing Silveira and Gassama if everything goes well before kickoff: "If all goes normal, the two have a good chance to come in. " Cienciano’s coaching team made clear they respect the opponent’s intensity, preparing defensive plans for any fresh faces that may appear late on.

Gassama's potential debut and key matchups

Sekou Gassama is the headline name on the Universitario bench and could make his debut at the Monumental if called upon. Cienciano coach Horacio Melgarejo noted the challenge of facing a recently arrived forward: "First we have to see if Gassama plays. If he comes in, we have already studied him and the other forwards; we know each player’s characteristics. " Expect close marking and physical duels if Gassama enters the contest.

Other individual battles to follow include the contest between wide attackers and full-backs — Hohberg and Bandiera against Universitario’s flanks — plus the midfield tussle where Castillo and Pérez Guedes could be decisive in controlling tempo and transitions.

Stadium storylines and off-field notes

The Monumental will be at full capacity with organizers announcing 55, 000 spectators. There was late arrival drama on the day: Universitario’s team bus had a deadline of 7: 00 p. m. ET to arrive at the stadium to avoid sanctions, a detail that added tension in the hours before kickoff.

History also hangs over the fixture. Cienciano have not beaten Universitario at the Monumental since 2003 — a statistic the visitors know is there to be broken. That long-standing run and the packed stands ensure an intense atmosphere for players and coaches alike.

What the result will mean

With the Torneo Apertura still in its early rounds, both sides can use a win not only to climb the table but to build momentum. A home victory would reinforce Universitario’s authority at the Monumental; a positive result for Cienciano would break a long streak and offer a major confidence boost. Expect a high-energy, physical contest decided by small margins and perhaps a late substitution or tactical tweak.

Kickoff: 8: 30 p. m. ET. The Monumental promises noise, atmosphere and a tightly fought battle between two teams with different but complementary motivations.