Why are Ricardo Gareca and Gianluca Lapadula the positive characters of 2021 for Peruvians?

“The important thing is not how it begins but how it ends”. The cliche phrase may perfectly fit the year of Ricardo Gareca Y Gianluca Lapadula. The peruvian team started 2021 amid questioning after scoring a single point in four 2020 games played by Playoffs. The start of the road to Qatar – also that of Lapadula with the white and red – did not start well, but closed in the best way: located in fifth place, with the intact chances of qualifying for the World Cup, and with the coach and the forward as the two public personalities of the year for Peru in positive terms, according to an Ipsos survey for América Televisión.

The America Cup, disputed between June and July, was without a doubt the springboard that the national team needed to resurface. The fourth place obtained in the tournament -third time within the four best in America under the command of DT- restored the confidence of those selected. Before the trip to Brazil, Peru had obtained a victory, a draw and four defeats in the Playoffs. After the return with the copper medal he got four wins, one equality and three falls.

In fact, the last FIFA date played in November was round: six points out of six. A jump expected to restore the illusion to the fans that the World Cup dream can once again come true.

Lapadula, a ‘9’ of goals and gestures

Gianluca Lapadula debuted in the classic against Chile and with a defeat. Thirty minutes and a little more that were not the best cover letter. It was difficult for him to score his first goal – he did it in the seventh game – but his attitude on the field and his personality penetrated the hearts of the fans. The two assists and the dozens of kilometers traveled in Quito – in his first time playing at height – were the kickoff.

As well as for the selection, the America Cup from Brazil served for Gianluca to consolidate himself as the ‘9’ of the team. Three goals, one assist and the immense value of knowing one hundred percent with everyone, who knows and intuits their movements.

The World Cup dream, a Christmas gift

Qatar is not as far away as it was at the beginning of the year. In fact, at the moment, it is very close. The World Cup dream is everyone’s dream. And that is reflected in the desire of the Peruvians. According to Ipsos, 12% of respondents would give Peru in 2022 “qualification for the Qatar World Cup”.

Next year’s World Cup will be played between November 21 and December 18, a week before the end of the year parties. And they all ask, as an early Christmas gift, to see the Peruvian team again at the World Cup.