Return to Relevance: Peru's Road to Russia 2018 (PES 2016)

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Gareca pleased with Peru's initial performances

LIMA -- Production and potential. All is well right now as far as Ricardo Gareca is concerned.

Peru grabbed back-to-back wins at the start of Gareca's tenure as head coach with identical 3-1 victories over Mexico and Japan at Estadio Nacional. The Peruvians' famed 'Fantastic Four' of Claudio Pizarro, Paolo Guerrero, Jefferson Farfan, and Juan Manuel Vargas each found the back of the net, but they were not the only ones to make impacts.

Youngsters like Pedro Requena and Andre Carrillo were also solid during their time on the field, leaving Gareca plenty satisfied.

"I'm happy that we got results and that our performances were mostly solid," said Gareca. "Players were eager to make an impression, and I think you saw thought by how they did on the field. All in all, it was a very impressive couple of games that we will try and build on going forward."

While Gareca was mostly pleased, he did see room for improvement.

"Defensively, we had a couple of hiccups dealing with aerial balls," said Gareca. "We also didn't do well in terms of possession against Japan, which is something that needs to be corrected since we want to be the ones dictating the tempo of games. But, overall, I'm happy with what we saw."

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Press gives positive reviews following September camp

Local reporters and media members were left mostly satisfied following Ricardo Gareca's first two games in charge of Peru, which beat both Mexico and Japan, 3-1, in home friendlies.

Here is a consensus of how some players did as well as storylines of interest:

STOCK UP

Juan Manuel Vargas: Showed renewed conviction on the left flank despite playing two different positions, and had a goal and an assist in the games. He still has plenty to offer Peru, it seems.

Carlos Lobaton: Demonstrated a good range of passing, and threw in some good defensive work by intercepting balls and translating them into chances.

Pedro Requena: Held his own at right back defensively. Could have done more going forward, but not at all bad in Gareca's first two matches.

STOCK DOWN

Edwin Retamoso: Did not make the type of impact that was expected of a veteran midfielder, especially with how Peru struggled in possession vs. Japan.

Claudio Pizarro: Scored a nice goal, but his public comments regarding media's criticism of him before the friendlies did not go over well. His age is also still being talked about as a major negative for Peru.

LINGERING QUESTIONS

-Vargas played a game at left midfielder and one at left back. Which position does Gareca see him in long term?

-Pedro Gallese started the second game in goal ahead of incumbent Raul Fernandez. Is there a chance Gallese could win the No. 1 spot or is it Fernandez's to lose?

-Is Carlos Ascues being viewed as a centerback despite being seen as a midfielder by some?

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Peru headed to Europe to face Czech Republic, Switzerland

LIMA -- Peru is heading to Europe for its next pair of friendlies.

The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) announced today that Ricardo Gareca and his players will continue their World Cup Qualifying cycle with an October camp in Europe that will include friendlies vs. Czech Republic and Switzerland.

The match against the Czechs will come first and is set to be played at Generali Arena in Praha. That game will be followed up by a meeting with the Swiss at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. Four days separate the games.

"After playing at home vs. Mexico and Japan, we thought it best to go test ourselves against some European competition," said Gareca. "Czech Republic and Switzerland will provide strong challenges, especially with talented players like Peter Cech and Xherdan Shaqiri on their respective rosters and with their home crowds behind them.

"We look forward to it."

Gareca, who helped Peru go 2-0 in his first two games in charge in September, will name his roster in the coming weeks.

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Pizarro, Guerrero headline Peru squad for European excursion

LIMA -- If it is not broken, don't fix it.

Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca summoned a 23-player squad for the upcoming friendlies in Europe vs. Czech Republic and Switzerland. Claudio Pizarro and Paolo Guerrero headline the roster, which has only four changes from the initial group that Gareca summoned and defeated Mexico and Japan last month.

The four newcomers are veteran fullbacks Renzo Revoredo and Jair Cespedes, young centerback Hansell Riojas, and well-seasoned forward William Chiroque.

"We liked most of what we saw last month, so we figured we would stick mostly with the same group," said Gareca in a statement. "Of course, we want to take a look at some new faces up close and personal as well, so there are some changes. We expect to compete in Europe."

PERU ROSTER FOR OCTOBER 2014
Goalkeepers (3): Raul Fernandez, Pedro Gallese, Diego Penny
Defenders (7): Pedro Requena, Renzo Revoredo, Carlos Ascues, Jair Cespedes, Christian Ramos, Carlos Zambrano, Hansell Riojas
Midfielders (8): Luis Advincula, Josepmir Ballon, Cristian Benavente, Andre Carrillo, Edwin Retamoso, Jean Deza, Carlos Lobaton, Juan Manuel Vargas
Forwards (5): Jefferson Farfan, Paolo Guerrero, Claudio Pizarro, Johan Fano, William Chiroque

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Guerrero doubtful for Czech Republic friendly due to groin injury

PRAHA -- Peru will likely be without one of its primary weapons vs. the Czech Republic.

Star forward Paolo Guerrero sat out today's initial practice session, and is unlikely to play in the upcoming friendly. Guerrero has been dealing with a groin injury since his last game at the club level, but it has not healed as quickly as expected.

"He will probably miss the first game against the Czechs," said Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca. "There is a chance he could play still, but it all depends on how quickly his body recovers."

Guerrero also spoke to the media after practice, and expressed frustration.

"I want to play, but right now there's some discomfort," said Guerrero, who scored two goals in a win over Mexico last month. "We'll see how things go in the coming days."

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Last-gasp Vargas goal sees Peru edge Czech Republic

PRAHA -- A tame affair was set to end in a scoreless draw. Then, Juan Manuel Vargas changed the script.

Vargas scored a dramatic goal in the dying seconds to give Peru a 1-0 triumph over the Czech Republic in a friendly played in rainy conditions at Generali Arena. Vargas struck for the second time in three games after heading home a cross from fellow substitute Luis Advincula from the right, improving Peru to 3-0 since Ricardo Gareca took over as head coach.

The game was mostly a battle of the midfields, but the Peruvians were better from the run of play and created a handful of half-chances. Carlos Zambrano came close to scoring on a header off a corner kick in the first half, but Peter Cech did well to deny him.

Cech was solid in between the pipes for the Czechs throughout, but could do little about Vargas' header near the death.

CZECH REPUBLIC 0-1 PERU
Possession: 56-44
Shots (Shots On Goal): 2(1) - 5(4)
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:

GOALS
90+2' -- Peru -- Juan Manuel Vargas (Luis Advincula) -- Andre Carrillo sprayed a ball deep down the right flank that Advincula raced to and ran with to the endline before crossing it to the top of the six-yard box, where Vargas nodded a perfect header past Cech with authority.

PERU LINEUP (4-4-1-1):
GK: Pedro Gallese
RB: Pedro Requena (Renzo Revoredo 84')
RCB: Carlos Zambrano
LCB: Hansell Riojas
LB: Jair Cespedes
RM: William Chiroque (Luis Advincula 77')
CM: Carlos Lobaton (Josepmir Ballon '90+2)
DM: Edwin Retamoso
LM: Jean Deza (Juan Manuel Vargas 59')
SS: Jefferson Farfan (Cristian Benavente 62')
ST: Claudio Pizarro (c) (Andre Carrillo 77')

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Guerrero expects to play vs. Switzerland

BASEL -- As far as Paolo Guerrero is concerned, he is playing this week.

Having missed Peru's 1-0 win over Czech Republic because of a groin injury, Guerrero has set his sights for a return in the upcoming match against Switzerland. Guerrero has resumed training in recent days, and is confident he will see time as the Peruvians close out their European trip and October camp.

"It was a small injury, nothing major," said Guerrero after practice. "It was more discomfort than anything. That's gone now, and I expect to see the field vs. the Swiss."

Interestingly, Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca has not commented on whether Guerrero will play.

[OliDegu2008]

Love the stories brother!

Keep this coming. I really enjoy reading the updates.