Julinho: “Whatever happens with Venezuela, I would give Gareca a contract for life” | INTERVIEW

There are very few videos of Peru’s last victory in Venezuela (in August 1997). Those three points were decisive to fight for a World Cup qualification until the last date. This Tuesday, against Vinotinto, the expectations are the same: win to sustain the illusion until 2022. july, today a panelist for ESPN and the program “Pressurized” on You Tube, he scored one of the goals, in Barinas, in that 3-0 against the Llaneros. Today it is only possible to reproduce fuzzy images of that match, but the former Sporting Cristal forward is a front row witness who helps us reproduce the images as if they were recorded in HD.

What is the first thing you remember about that game against Venezuela in Barinas?

I remember that the court was very bad, that it was very hot and that we from Cristal were a bit tired after playing the final of the Copa Libertadores. We had very little rest.

—In spite of everything, you felt comfortable in that meeting …

It’s that I’m from Bahia, I’m used to the heat, to playing without shoes. The experience favored me since I was a child, when I played in sand and on bad courts. I played a very good game in Barinas. Too bad few remember that game. For that group it was a key victory.

—How much has Venezuelan soccer changed in these 24 years?

Very much, now it is a more aggressive and organized Venezuela. It has become quite professional. The team has now become very physical, although I feel that with Dudamel as coach they were better. Of course, as a local they have been very hard for everyone. He even started a game beating Brazil.

“Anyway, Peru is the favorite?”

That’s right, the only thing that worries me is the field of the Caracas stadium. It does not favor the team that plays below. When I was a player I played several games in Caracas and there the courts are not good either, the grass is very dry and the ball gives a lot of bounce. The theme of the court is key. The game against Bolivia has strengthened Peru, these results help a lot to confidence. Hopefully the game is not so complicated.

“Doesn’t it strike you that that game is so little remembered?” There are hardly any videos …

Sometimes memory is fragile. But that victory in Venezuela was as important as the triumph in Colombia with a goal from ‘Chino’ Pereda. We were fifth in the table and at that time there was no playoff. Beating Venezuela was key to having options until the last date. It’s amazing that we can only find one or two videos on Youtube.

“Do you clearly remember your goal?”

Of course, there was a center that came to Germán Carty, he passed the ball to me and I volleyed against the floor, one of the shots that I liked to do the most. It was one of my strengths, I was very good at defining with the ball in the air. In Brazil they work a lot on that. I have no way to forget that goal.

—Your coach in that 1997 game was Juan Carlos Oblitas. How do you analyze his participation in this process of Ricardo Gareca?

It is key, Juan Carlos is using all his experience in this process. He brought the right man for the Peruvian team. In the nineties, with Oblitas, it was like that. A closed group, with almost the same players always. Despite criticism from some footballers, Gareca confirms their trust. The best technicians I had were the ones who gave me confidence. And that’s what Gareca does with this selection, his group management is remarkable.

—What would be the main differential in this Gareca era?

The tactics, the multi-functionality of the players, protected the group. He built a game model, found the system, and found the players. Gareca always looked for footballers with good footing.

“Is Cueva the player who represents everything you just said?”

Cueva has had good and bad moments. But Gareca continued to trust, he decided to take care and not punish. Each footballer has his own history, his own origin, environment and education. Gareca has helped many footballers overcome their problems: hugging, supporting and caring. That seems extraordinary to me. Cueva finished the game with Chile being the best, later he was criticized for the missed pass against Bolivia in La Paz. And now? He is one of the best again in the selection. That is also a merit of Gareca. He maintains his line of balance, he is the same in the sun and in the storm. He’s not one of the techies who makes changes to make people happy.

—And of the technicians you had, who does Ricardo Gareca remind you of?

A Juan Carlos Oblitas, to Paulo Autuori. They are coaches who die with their group, whether they lose or not win. I learned a lot from that and that is what I try to work on in the Sporting Cristal Sub 17. If Peru continues to play like this, it can qualify for the World Cup. Be careful with that.

– Would you play the eleven of Peru to play in Caracas?

Gareca will go to death with his eleventh. It is true that ‘Canchita’ Gonzales played a great game and also that Sergio Peña stood out a lot. But I think the same as Gareca: Yotún is key in Peru’s tactical system. You may not be at your best, but if your confidence is renewed, you can regain your highest level.

—Who do you identify with this group of the national team?

Without a doubt, Carrillo y Cueva. And the thing about Carrillo is of another level. When I see Carrillo play, it seems that he is facing children. You cannot take the ball from him, what he does is superlative, very daring and charming. Carrillo and Cueva are happy in Arabia, you have to leave them there.

“Would you renew Gareca’s contract?”

Whatever happens against Venezuela on Tuesday, I will give Ricardo Gareca a contract for life. Undoubtedly. After 36 years, Peru reached a World Cup. He made an extraordinary match against France. He played a good final of America Cup against Brazil. It would be a tremendous mistake if your contract is not renewed. The great teams of the world grow when they ratify coaches.