A defeat against Chile that exposes Reynoso: Peru and the consequences of playing defensively | CHRONICLE

La Bicolor lost 2-0 in a match that could have had a bigger result. The southern team came from all sides, especially in the first half. They even scored after 25 minutes, but it was disallowed because the ball had left the field in the touch prior to the goal. And Pedro Gallese appeared with a couple of personal saves, the kind he has accustomed us to in his hundred games leading the national team.

Juan Reynoso’s approach was striking. Not because it is ultra-defensive, but because of the inclusion of Andy Polo on the left. The ‘U’ winger is the player who excels the most and best on the right in League 1 in 2023, but the coach improvised by putting him with a changed profile. Clearly it didn’t work, not even to defend much less to attack.

Chile took a while to score. Only at 74′ did the first goal come through Diego Valdés, after a Peruvian inattention in a corner. And at 91′, Marcos López, who had entered for Polo, made the final 2-0 with an unfortunate own goal. Chile took a while, but it was a matter of time before it happened. When you play to defend yourself, to give the ball to the opponent and without the slightest intention of attacking, the most likely thing is that you will end up losing.

The start of Reynoso’s Peru in the Qualifiers is being terrible. , and counting only Guerrero’s shot against the post against Paraguay in the debut in which we tied thanks to Gallese’s miraculous saves.

“I am the one responsible and I have no problem putting my chest forward,” the coach said yesterday in a conference. Self-criticism is worth it, but it is not enough. La Bicolor had not had three qualifying matches without celebrating since 2020.

And this edition starts similar to the previous ones of Gareca, with few points at the start, but before that they had the confidence to reverse what the team proposed. Now, with Reynoso’s approaches, it is still not known what the Bicolor is playing. What are you looking for in the field?

Difficult outlook

The national team will have a tough test this Tuesday at the National Stadium. More difficult than Brazil was last day. He scored against Paraguay once -via Otamendi-, but it came everywhere. It was a dance.

Reynoso will not be able to count on Marcos López, who earned his second yellow card in the tournament. There is also the risk of losing Paolo, Araujo, Tapia (if he recovers and plays) and Cartagena if they are reprimanded. Zambrano probably won’t arrive either after being injured.

Everything is uphill for Peru and playing as we have been doing is not enough for the faith of October.