Gallese’s miraculous hands and the seven keys to a victory made in the second half

The country celebrates a new triumph in the era of Juan Reynoso. Our team beat Paraguay 1-0 in Lima and thus consummated another positive result in this start of ‘Cabezón’ on the national bench. Things have started well, apparently, although there is still and will be a lot of work to do.

The friendlies are precisely for this, to test new strategies, to start a generational change, to give opportunities to new players and to try many other things. That is what Juan Máximo is taking advantage of right now.

Having already forgotten the defeat against Mexico in his debut, the ‘Cabezón’ has replicated the victory against El Salvador (4-1), continuing on his triumphant path in this Wednesday’s clash against Paraguay (1-0). Satisfied or not with the result, we analyze the keys that have led to this triumph by the slightest difference from the ‘Blanquirroja’.

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1. The mystique of the Monumental for Reynoso

After three years, the Peruvian team returned to the Monumental Stadium, a stage where it has not fared so well. In fact, before this match, the ‘bicolor’ lost (6) and tied (7) more times than they won (5) at the Colossus of Ate. Even on the two occasions that the national squad had to face Paraguay in this venue, they could not win (0-1 and 0-0).

But history has now changed thanks to Juan Reynoso. In the Monumental, the ‘Cabezón’ has always kept an important mystique, achieving feats and overflowing with joy several times. His intention is to continue on that path with the national team and it has started very well.

It must be taken into account that the national DT made the colossus of Ate his stronghold during his time as Universitario coach (26 wins, 10 draws and only 5 losses). For this reason, Juan Máximo has once again taken refuge in this venue, which was once his home, to be able to get new positive results with the ‘bicolor’. The victory against Paraguay envisions better things in this scenario.

2. Excellent Lopez

One of the highest points of the selection in the friendly against the Paraguayans was Marcos López. Beyond some specific error, the Peruvian winger showed why he is one of the few who are making their way in Europe today.

López was very compact on defense and collaborative on offense throughout the game. Right in the first half managed to annul none other than Miguel Almirón, figure of the ‘Albirroja’. The attacker who plays for Newcastle could do little to overcome the Feyenoord winger.

Almirón was so inconsequential that in the second half he was replaced by Matías Rojas. Similarly, Marcos López continued to take care of his wing to perfection, winning four of six games played, making three clearances and one interception, and basically holding his own on defense.

3. The rethinking

The first half had not been good for the ‘bicolor’. There were spaces to exploit in the attack, but they were not taken advantage of at the time. The national offense lacked clarity in most of its plays. And in defense, some mistakes almost doomed the team.

However, Reynoso managed to rethink the game in a more optimal way for the second half. The ‘Cabezón’ took out José Rivera, who contributed very little in his debut, to bring in Christian Cueva. He moved ‘Canchita’ Gonzales to the left wing and Bryan Reyna to the right wing.

The rest remained the same in the scheme and, from then on, Peru improved in every way. Several problems were solved and the Reynoso team found a worked victory.

4. The revolution of Christian Cueva

Cueva’s presence was fundamental. With his entry, Peru gained more hierarchy on the field and found what it so badly needed: clarity in attacks. His influence is indisputable. He just needed a few minutes to be noticed with his quality and talent.

From his feet, important offensive plays were born and he contributed a lot to Peru’s victory at home. According to SofaScore, ‘Aladdin’ won seven of 11 personal duels and successfully dribbled three of four times. Undisputed figure.

5. Set pieces

A virtue always to be highlighted in Juan Reynoso’s teams is set pieces. With the national team, it is no exception. The ‘Cabezón’ has also been working with that great strength that characterizes him and is already seeing results.

The goal came like that, through a corner. ‘Canchita’ Gonzáles crossed the ball to the top of the area and Alex Valera appeared there to finish off perfectly with his head and celebrate the only goal of the match. Surely, there will be more plays like this that will feature the former Universitario striker, who has displayed his great passing game several times like now.

6. Trial and error and the great defensive improvement

Defensively, Peru was suffering more than it should. Julio Enciso did a lot of damage, beating the backs of national defenders more than once. The essay by Carlos Ascues as a right center back and Miguel Araujo as a winger was difficult at first. But it was fixed in time.

Specifically, that right wing, at a defensive level, was optimally restored in the second half and established itself well. Ascues improved a lot, so much so that he consolidated himself as one of the figures of the party.

In fact, the Peruvian defender was the one who made the most clearances (8), in addition to efficiently blocking three rival shots and making three interceptions. His technical delicacy at the start is also a point to highlight. From criticism he went to praise in a flash. It has been, without a doubt, a good comeback. And surely Reynoso will continue to take it into account.

7. The Captain’s Miraculous Hands

That the result has remained that way is largely due to Pedro Gallese. Although he did not have to work as much as in other games, when it was his turn to give a helping hand he did it perfectly, as usual, and managed to keep his fence unbeaten until the end of the game.

In fact, he saved us from a major heads-up. Lorenzo Melgarejo from Paraguay was left alone in front of the national goalkeeper and he managed to safeguard his goal, preventing the ball from entering with his right hand. Always key and miraculous Gallese under the three sticks.