Oliver Sonne had 360 minutes (four games) to debut, but finally he was unable to defend the colors of the Peruvian team.
That countenance that radiated good vibes and confidence changed for another diametrically opposite one, one with a distorted face, a lost look, low spirits and anger for having been – again – on the verge of his debut. That illusion became an annoyance contained by a footballer who is tired of waiting. His reaction of throwing the shirt on the field is understandable to a certain extent. Sonne is considered the best right back in Danish football and, from what we have seen so far, not even that is enough for him to be a starter or have some minutes in the national team. Is there such a difference in his game compared to the rest of his teammates? Is it true that he is not ready to play in qualifying matches as strong as the South American ones? What does he lack to receive the coach’s trust and see him in action?
Sonne expedited all the procedures to obtain Peruvian nationality in record time and be qualified to play for Peru. He always had the intention of putting the bicolor on his chest and being part of this team. His desire to represent the country despite not having been born here reminded us of Gianluca Lapadula, who also processed everything to obtain his DNI and become a symbol of the bicolor. Unlike Sonne, ‘Lapagol’ did receive the opportunity from a coach who trusted him and his ability. In a context in which we lacked forwards, Gianluca appeared to be the scorer who led us to the playoffs in Qatar 2022. He deserved to qualify for the World Cup, but football has these unfair things that you cannot control. And Oliver witnesses this firsthand, because he suffers his own injustice with Reynoso in office.
Sonne is the Lapadula who was not in the national team, the footballer who did not receive the opportunity to play despite being prepared to do so. He was a prisoner of the circumstances of a game that should have been for him and of an indecisive coach who does not know what he is playing or what he wants. Oliver has the desire, the enthusiasm and the support of the fans. He has the same affection that the Peruvian gave to Gianluca at the time, although in less intensity. And that is why there is discontent after his failed debut, because his helplessness generates empathy in the other and his disappointment makes him closer to Peru.
That he continues without playing for the national team also means a latent risk, because it opens the doors to a future call from Denmark. If the Danish team calls up Sonne for an official match, he has the right to go. And if that happens, Peru will have lost a footballer who could have been important for the qualifiers. If we complain that we don’t have players, why risk losing one who can serve us? With a Luis Advíncula in decline and an Aldo Corzo who today proves to be the starter, does Sonne not have a chance to play in the bicolor? For now, Oliver’s discontent is great, but he has the decision to continue representing Peru. Be that as it may, he will have to wait until the FIFA friendlies in March to make his debut. And it is most likely that he will be with another technical command at the head of the team.
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