Óscar Ramírez said on March 14 that Liga Deportiva Alajuelense is showing football growth and will be in good form for the end of the Torneo de Clausura 2026. The team secured a 3-0 victory against Pérez Zeledón, marking their third consecutive win without conceding a goal and moving them into a playoff position.
The recent results have changed perceptions about Alajuelense’s chances in the tournament. Many believed earlier that the team would not qualify, but those doubts have faded as they continue to perform well. Ramírez addressed this shift, saying, “Vamos a llegar en buen momento al cierre.”
When asked about the team’s turnaround, Ramírez said he would be able to explain more fully at the end of the tournament but noted that some changes were planned from early on. He also discussed his strategy of rotating players to manage fatigue: “Era necesario porque el partido del martes fue intenso, difícil y fuimos inteligentes en dosificar las cargas y disponer de los que estén mejor o lo que escoja yo, según lo que vamos a planear. Ganamos, marco en cero y anotamos tres goles.”
Ramírez commented on Joel Campbell’s role in the squad: “Con Joel desde el momento que se habló, se habló claro y ha intentado estar ahí. Todos entendemos esto del fútbol y dentro del rol que está, lo está haciendo muy bien… hay momentos en los que lo ocupo, como hoy.” He also praised Ángel Zaldívar’s performance and highlighted Ronaldo Cisneros’ current form: “Él es un híbrido, tiene gol y su manejo… está agarrando ritmo, como la mayoría.”
Looking ahead to upcoming matches and challenges with managing two tournaments simultaneously, Ramírez concluded: “Estamos agarrando buen ritmo para el cierre y ojalá que el martes podamos pasar por el club y el país. Vamos a llegar en buen momento al cierre.”
Alajuelense’s recent success has positioned them as strong contenders for the semifinals as they aim to maintain momentum through the remainder of the season.
