But there is a need to look for other alternatives in the universe we have. Reynoso tried first with Christofer Gonzales against Germany and it didn’t work out. ‘Canchita’ was far from offering a round game, he ran after the ball, had little participation and the game was great for him. Against Morocco, DT rehearsed with André Carrillo assuming the role of driver. The ‘Culebra’ played in the middle, behind Gianluca Lapadula and tried to break through with the resources at hand; but he was not convinced either. Under this scenario, it is healthy to look to the side and see what other alternatives could result in the long term.
Bryan Reina
Absent in the call for the European tour due to a sudden injury, Bryan Reyna is one of Reynoso’s bets for this new process. His debut in the bicolor was with a goal included (in the 4-1 against El Salvador) and from then on he has given the leap in quality that he needed. The coach gave him the necessary confidence to play at a more demanding level and the now Alianza Lima footballer responded more than enough on the pitch. He played three games with the bicolor, all friendlies, and has scored one goal. At 24 years old, he is called to be one of the protagonists in the next Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
However, Reyna is mostly used to playing as a winger, close to the wing, taking advantage of his speed; and he does not fit the profile that Cueva has playing for the national team. For example, in Alianza Lima, Reyna is located on the left with a changed profile (his skillful leg is his right) and his movements are inward or close to the line, depending on what the play requires. ‘Aladino’ for his part, is a footballer who gives the team inventiveness, pauses, protects the ball and makes the rest play. In fact, it would be appropriate for both of them to meet on the field to see how that partnership works, something that has not yet happened in the blue and white team.
- Reyna’s matches this year with Alianza Lima
Matches | goals | minutes played |
---|---|---|
Alianza Lima 2-0 Sport Boys | – | 72′ |
University 1-2 Alianza Lima | – | 84′ |
UTC 0-1 Lima Alliance | – | 90′ |
Alianza Lima 2-0 Cusco FC | – | 89′ |
Athletic Grau 1-2 Alianza Lima | – | fifteen’ |
Piero Quispe
Unlike Reyna, Piero Quispe’s profile does largely fit Cueva’s. Universitario’s midfielder has qualities similar to those of ‘Aladino’: he has a run with the ball, change of pace, pause and the ability to generate partnerships with the teammates around him. In this sense, it is logical to think of him as one of the alternatives to consider during the Reynoso process. What’s more, Quispe already made his debut with the national team’s jersey and he did so in the friendly duel against Bolivia, with a 1-0 victory for the bicolor team. The national DT gave him the confidence to play as a starter and share with Cueva, with whom he always wanted to play.
The disadvantage is in the experience of each one and in the physique they possess. Cueva is already a consolidated player, with international and World Cup filming; Quispe, for his part, is excited to follow in the footsteps of ‘Aladdin’ and improve not only his game, but also his physical condition. For now, it is an alternative that Reynoso can take into account in a situation similar to that experienced on the European tour. Why not give players like Quispe a chance to make that leap in quality that he needs and be able to join the team as a real option?
- Quispe’s matches this year with Universitario
Matches | goals | minutes played |
---|---|---|
Union Comercio 1-0 University | – | 32′ |
University 1-2 Alianza Lima | – | 6′ |
Mannucci 2-0 University | – | 67′ |
University 1-0 Melgar | – | 72′ |
Binational 1-2 University | – | 77′ |
College 3-1 ADT | – | 74′ |
University 3-0 Science | 1 | 88′ |
Universitario 2-0 Cienciano (South American Cup) | 1 | 89′ |
Jostin Alarcon
A similar situation occurs with Jostin Alarcón, Tiago Nunes’ fetish player who has earned ownership at Sporting Cristal. The 20-year-old midfielder has shown that he has the conditions to stand out in the Rimense squad, he has a good game, a willingness to join the attack and good technique with the ball. He has gone from less to more in a short time and was also considered by Reynoso for the friendlies against Bolivia and Paraguay, last November; However, by decision of the coach, Alarcón did not add minutes and it was one of the cards that many of us wanted to see with the bicolor.
In terms of football, Alarcón can fit Cueva’s profile, although with certain distances. Obviously, inexperience plays against; but that is acquiring it with the passing of the games. By game, it is necessary to see him in action with the national team’s jersey, so the FIFA date in June would be an opportunity for Reynoso to take him into consideration. He noted that Alarcón already knows the inmate of the bicolor, he has trained with the selected ones and was part of the talks that the national coach offered before each game. The uncertainty is in what you can give at a higher level. He still hasn’t made the leap in quality.
- Alarcón’s matches this year with Sporting Cristal
Matches | goals | minutes played |
---|---|---|
Sporting Cristal 3-0 Alianza Lima | – | 90′ |
Sporting Cristal 1-0 Melgar | – | 17′ |
Sporting Cristal 0-0 ADT | – | 44′ |
Sporting Cristal 2-1 Atletico Grau | – | 71′ |
Sporting Cristal 2-0 Cantolao | – | 90′ |
Sporting Cristal 5-1 National (Copa Libertadores) | – | 77′ |
Hurricane 0-0 Sporting Cristal (Copa Libertadores) | – | 80′ |
Sporting Cristal 1-0 Hurricane (Copa Libertadores) | – | 82′ |
On the other hand, what adds up in favor of Reyna, Quispe and Alarcón is the international competition that they will compete with Alianza Lima, Universitario and Sporting Cristal, respectively. The Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana appear as the litmus test for them, who will have a higher demand and must show that they are ready to compete against the best on the continent. The intimate, for example, will collide against Athletico Paranense, the current runner-up in America; the celestial ones will do the same against River Plate and Fluminense; and the creams will have to measure themselves against Gimnasia LP and Independiente de Sante Fe. Without a doubt, a beautiful challenge that they need to overcome to fill Reynoso’s eyes.
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