Pedro Aquino and the wheelbarrow that reminds us how the Qualifiers are played

A wheelbarrow is an aberration for those who live longing for the ‘jogo bonito’, an insult for those who believe that this sport should still be played with long pants, but an illusion for those who know that what matters are those points after the final whistle. So he understood Pedro Aquino, that’s how he spread it to the peruvian team in the triumph over Chile in the Classic of the Pacific.

If his return was requested, it was precisely because the player’s conditions were those that were lacking in the Peruvian midfield. Although the Renato Tapia – Yoshimar Yotún duo have been consolidated and Sergio Peña has joined in a great way when it comes to playing with three midfielders,

Not summoned to the Copa América due to injury, his absence was extended on the triple date of the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers last September. Ricardo Gareca clarified that it was not due to indiscipline, but there were also no football reasons to understand the decision.

Now, faced with the urgency of having the entire squad available to risk his life, Pedro Aquino returned

The Peru that qualified us for the World Cup had a Renato Tapia and Yoshimar Yotún at a great moment. With clean starts and presence in attack. An improved version of what Sergio Markarián put together with Luis ‘Cachito’ Ramírez and Rinaldo Cruzado. All very different from what Juan Jayo previously meant in that position.

. Very aggressive to score, very fast to get out. Although he did not show his facet in attack – he adds a lot to his club – his main task today in the Bicolor is to protect that delicate last line.

Important presence

According to the statistical portal Sofascore, Pedro Aquino must be confirmed in the starting eleven on Sunday against Bolivia.

La Paz is a place that brings back a bittersweet memory of Pedro Aquino. It was at the Bolivian headquarters where the midfielder made his debut with the Peruvian National Team, but it was with defeat in a match where his name had to do with the first goal of the match.

35th minute of play and a disputed foul by Pedro Aquino generated a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area. With performers like Marcelo Martins and Pablo Escobar, it was a clear opportunity for Bolivia. Pedro Gallese ordered three men to stand on the barrier: Aquino, Ávila and Trauco.

Unfortunately, at the last second, the barrier moved. Aquino went to his right, thinking of a pass to the middle and Trauco followed Martins’ path. Escobar shot straight to score a great goal.

“At that moment I thought they could play in the middle and that’s why I came out of the barrier. I think we are here to learn from mistakes, it’s my debut, of course it doesn’t justify anything, but I’m going to learn a lot “Pedro Aquino declared upon his return to Lima.

That game was the first of the 32 that Pedro Aquino already has with the Peruvian team. This Sunday he will wear Blanquirrojo again, since Renato Tapia is still in doubt due to physical issues and because the current midfielder of América de México knows what it is to play at height.

Aquino has been playing in Mexico for four years. He did it in León, which has an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level and now resides in Mexico City and is 2200 meters high. Although La Paz is above 3600, he is a player who should not have so many problems at altitude.

That is a point that Ricardo Gareca must take into account. Yoshimar Yotún, who makes sense and is not at a good level, also plays at altitude -military in Cruz Azul-, and his knowledge is important.

However, the question is whether Renato Tapia manages to fully recover. With the Celta midfielder, a regular starter, Ricardo Gareca will have to decide how to form that midfield that must run, and a lot, in La Paz.

The leadership of Renato Tapia, with that addition that protects the centrals more by standing next to them, or the aggressiveness of Pedro Aquino to press more in the middle, although without much clarity for the attack. Or both, in sacrifice of Yotún. There are options, Gareca will have to decide.