Hansell Riojas believes Sport Boys are ready for their duel with Sporting Cristal, and his main message is a simple one: the venue issue is behind them, and now the focus must be on winning.
Before the Sporting Boys versus Sporting Cristal match, Riojas spoke to RPP and confirmed that the game will be played at the estadio Miguel Grau after the club overcame several obstacles to secure the change. He said the process was not straightforward, pointing to repeated problems involving the Policía, the Región and even concerts around the stadium in Callao.
Riojas: the venue issue is finally solved
For Riojas, the key development is that the match has been moved to the estadio Miguel Grau in Callao. That matters because the playing conditions, the location and the atmosphere all changed the picture around this fixture.
“Siempre tenemos inconveniente con la Policía, con la Región, con algún concierto. Por suerte el pueblo chalaco se levantó y se logró el cambio. Ahora hay que ganar,” he said.
That is the tone of a player who knows the practical side of football can shape the emotional side too. Sport Boys have removed one distraction, and the target now is to make that count on the pitch.
What Riojas said about Sporting Cristal
Riojas also spoke about the opposition and made it clear that Sport Boys are preparing for a difficult night. He praised Sporting Cristal’s forward options and said he is ready to defend against whichever attackers are selected.
“Cristal tiene muy buenos delanteros. Al que toque defender, lo haré. A Barcos lo conozco más porque ya tiene tiempo en el Perú,” he said.
That is an important line because it shows the mindset Sport Boys will need. Riojas is not pretending this will be a comfortable assignment. He is pointing to a strong attacking opponent and stressing responsibility in the defensive duel.
Christian Cueva and Carlos Zambrano in the spotlight
Riojas also mentioned Christian Cueva and Carlos Zambrano, suggesting that the opponent has players who can influence the game in different ways. His view was that Cueva has settled well into the squad, while Zambrano is already a familiar presence to him.
“Christian Cueva se acopló bien al plantel. Sabe que tiene las cámaras puestas en él y tiene que demostrar. Es fácil jugar al lado de Zambrano, ya lo conocía desde la Copa América 2015. Se disfruta jugar con él,” he said.
That reference to Copa América 2015 adds a personal layer to his comments. Riojas is not speaking in abstractions here. He is drawing on known relationships and on the reality that individual quality can decide a match like this.
So the story before Sport Boys versus Sporting Cristal is not just about the fixture itself. It is also about getting the stadium issue resolved, restoring some normality and turning the focus toward the football. Riojas’ verdict is clear: the obstacles have been overcome, the venue is set, and now Sport Boys must make it matter.
