With local and foreign soccer players, how would you form the Peruvian Sub 20 today?

While Ricardo Gareca’s senior team prepares for the playoff in June, the Sub 20 generation of the ‘Blanquirroja’in charge of Gustavo Roverano, does the same with the challenges of next year. Between microcycles and friendlies, an important team of young locals and foreigners is already being formed and consolidated for the South American tournament of the category, which will be played in 2023 in Colombia.

This South American was initially scheduled to be played in 2021, but unfortunately it had to be canceled due to the pandemic. After that, a generation of soccer players – made up of emerging figures such as Piero Quispe, Yuriel Celi, Axel Moyano and many more – saw their chance to fight for qualification for the Indonesian Under-20 World Cup stripped away.

Now, others are taking the lead in this category. Quotas for the World Cup and also for the Pan American Games will be at stake in the South American 2023so Gustavo Roverano is now sharpening his best weapons to meet the challenge.

In fact, in recent days, the Peruvian Sub 20 played two friendly duels against their counterpart from Uruguay. The national team tied one match (1-1) and lost the other (2-0). Now it’s time to travel to Argentina to play another two matches against the ‘Albiceleste’ this May 10 and 12. While that is happening, Roverano is already selecting his best cards in each position.

It is important to mention that in the call for these friendlies, the Uruguayan strategist has dispensed with some important figures -such as Diego Otoya-, which does not mean that they are ruled out in his scheme. In fact, some of the absentees are emerging as starters in their team, based on what they have been doing previously, either in microcycles or also as sparring partners for the senior team.

Goalkeeper

This is the position that the U-20 coach has least defined. In the arc, Roverano is considering the different options that he has. For the first friendly against Uruguay, the person in charge of being under the three sticks was Sebastian Amasifuengoalkeeper from the Alianza Lima quarry, which for now has a relative preference in the selection.

However, there is no reason to be confident. In the second friendly against the charrúas, Roverano gave the opportunity to Josué Vargas, goalkeeper of the César Vallejo University, who will fight to win the final place under the three posts of the ‘Blanquirroja’.

defensive line

In the central defense, there is a good competition of players. The duo, today, would be made up of Aron Sanchez (Cantolao) and Leonardo Diaz (Sporting Cristal). The first is the undisputed starter in the ‘Delfin’ at only 19 years old, having played 10 full games this season. Meanwhile, ‘Leo’ played this year’s Copa Libertadores Sub 20 with the Rimenses and a not insignificant fact is that he was captain in the last two friendlies against Uruguay.

Although Sánchez and Díaz are outlined -for now- as starting defenders in this selection, there is a good backup behind them in any event. Along with Aron, Matias Lazo He is the one who has added the most minutes in the First Division, having played seven games with Melgar in League 1. He even already has international contact: he has played four games in the Copa Sudamericana.

For its part, Guadeloupe, nephew of the renowned Luis ‘Cuto’ Guadalupe and cousin of Jefferson Farfán, is another great option for Roverano in this area. Although the central defender of the Orlando City Academy recently accepted the call from the United States, the U20 of Peru has not ruled out his early return, since he can contribute a lot to the team.

As for the sides, John Cortez is the owner of the left band. The 18-year-old left-hander plays for the New York Red Bulls affiliate team and this year he has already played four games in the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. Of course, fighting for the position behind him is Sebastián Aranda, who has already played eight games in the current League 1 campaign with Universidad San Martín.

On the right wing, the protagonist of the friendlies was Gilmar Paredes, who this year competed in the Copa Libertadores Sub 20 with Sporting Cristal, where he played three games and scored two goals. But the preference would be Kluiverth Aguilarwho plays for Lommel SK in the Belgian Second Division.

midfield

Roverano has found good figures on the midfield that are consolidating in his scheme. Jack Carhuallanqui is one of them. The central midfielder of Universitario is a key piece in the ‘Blanquirroja’, both in recovering the ball and in creating the game.

At his side accompanies him catriel hair, mixed midfielder from the Racing Club academy, who is making the most of his opportunity with the national team and is earning his place. In fact, he was the author of the only goal for Peru in the first friendly against Uruguay that ended 1-1.

In this area you can add David Mejia, albeit a little further forward to mainly organize the team’s attacks. The attacking midfielder belongs to Atalanta United 2, the club with which he plays the USL Championship, and is one of the main cards of our U20.

It should be noted that in the midfield there are also players like Xavi Moreno (Sport Boys), César Vásquez (Sporting Cristal) and Marcelo Matzuda (Alianza Lima), who work as key variants for Roverano.

Front

In the attack of the sub 20 team, Joao Grimaldo He has established himself as a left winger. The Sporting Cristal jewel has already added important minutes in the First Division, having played five goals this season and celebrated two goals. He also played in the Copa Libertadores in his category, being the top scorer for the Rimense youth team with two goals and one assist in three games.

Another great figure up front is Jorge del Castillo (Lima Alliance), who can play as a midfielder and also accommodate himself as a winger. He is a very skilled player and has already shown it on several occasions, such as when he was a sparring partner for the senior team and surprised José Carvallo with a great goal. In recent friendlies he was absent, but he is a sure Roverano prospect for the next challenges.

The titular ‘9’ is Diego Otoya, which plays the MLS Next Pro with the San José Earthquakes Academy. Currently in his position, he has the preference of the Uruguayan coach in the U20, over Sebastien Pineau, who was present in the friendlies against Uruguay.

Training

Gustavo Roverano’s preferred system is the 4-2-3-1 and, taking into account everything mentioned in the previous paragraphs, the starting line-up that he would use today for the South American 2023 of the category has Sebatián Amasifuen under the three sticks; John Cortez, Arón Sánchez, Leonardo Díaz and Kluiverth Aguilar on defense; Jack Carhuallanqui and Catriel Cabellos in the central steering wheel; David Mejía as midfielder, while Joao Grimaldo and Jorge del Castillo on the wings; and Diego Otoya as center forward.