In the midst of the morbidity that this Friday’s Peru-Chile raises, the Bicolor has its own shadows. The results are good, but the performance, both collective and individual, is not, and that raises many doubts. And to that is added Jorge Fossati’s big bet: including Christian Cueva in the final list, despite the fact that the midfielder has not played for eight months (last game was on October 21, 2023, in a 0-0 draw between Alianza Lima and ADT for the Closing of League 1). The coach has a plan for ‘Aladino’ and we tell it in El Comercio.
And, since it is now official, it is time to do the analysis. Where could Cueva fit in if he has minutes? Would he come in for Piero Quispe, the one who tried to be the driver at the beginning of the Fossati era and couldn’t, or to play alongside him? What should we expect at the wheel in his new start after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, one of the most complicated injuries in football?
Christian Cueva: With or by Piero Quispe?
From the outset, Cueva’s presence in the team left the differences marked. ‘Aladino’ returned to the Bicolor and immediately took the number 10. It is his number. The one that Jefferson Farfán left him and took care of in the best way: being the driver of Peru. When he left due to his injury, that number was used by Piero Quispe, the one called to be his successor. Now that he’s back, Christian is back to number 10.
And it was confirmed with the final list for the Copa América. On the official tournament page Christian appears with his preferred number, while Piero will use 23.
Just because Cueva has the 10 on his back does not mean that he will be a starter. In fact, there’s a good chance he won’t be during the tournament. El Comercio was able to learn from sources very close to Videna that Jorge Fossati would use the attacker for no more than 30 minutes per game, at least in the first games. Christian is one hundred percent recovered from his knee injury and the muscle discomfort he had a couple of weeks ago; However, they cannot demand it for the length of time it takes (eight months). The intention is to take him little by little, but to give him minutes to show himself and receive better offers than the ones he has been receiving after the Cup.
In that sense, the team would continue with the trident in the midfield formed by Wilder Cartagena as anchor, Sergio Peña on the right and Piero Quispe on the left. If he enters, Cueva could replace Piero, in a man-for-man change. Although that would mean that the steering wheel loses its mark.
Another option is for him to play alongside Gianluca Lapadula. As a midfielder, Cueva would have fewer defensive obligations in order to use his talent in attack, a shortcoming that we have not been able to resolve: in the last two friendlies, the Bicolor had five shots on goal, all against El Salvador. Against Paraguay, a more competitive rival, we did not take shots on goal.
Be that as it may, it is not unreasonable to accept that the Peruvian team needs Christian Cueva. From the best Christian Cueva. The question is whether we will be able to see that version, or one that is close, in the Copa América.
Source: Elcomercio
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a keen interest in sports and have written for many different publications. I am currently working as an author at 24 News Recorder. I cover mostly sports news but also write about other topics such as current affairs and politics. I have a strong interest in social media and how it can be used to engage with audiences.
