The ‘sele’ had started the game with a defined script, to pressure the ‘Scratch’ to exit, not to let him play and to group together when they pass the middle of the field. The formula was working, Brazil did not feel comfortable; The defensive line also did its thing, playing with the offside (two goals from the ‘Canarinha’ were annulled) and rejecting as much as possible. Above, Guerrero and Carrillo tried to hold on; However, this time, the changes did not work for Reynoso and a single mistake against a rival of such magnitude was paid dearly.
The keys to the match
He was a leader behind
As in the second half in Ciudad del Este, Renato Tapia did everything he could against Brazil. Reynoso put him alongside Luis Abram from the start and the duo showed greater confidence than the Araujo-Abram pairing. The Celta player was attentive to the crosses and making good closings. And when Raphinha or Rodrygo crossed, he rejected everything.
Tapia was in charge of counteracting Richarlison’s offensive power and supporting Aldo Corzo and Wilder Cartagena to put pressure on the Brazilians, and in many cases, prevent them from turning with the ball and being face to face with Pedro Gallese’s goal. When Brazil made all its offensive changes and the centers were arriving into the area, ‘Cabezón’ was one of the most diligent in taking out everything that came into his area.
Always compliant
Advíncula’s loss was not felt this time with the mark applied by Aldo Corzo. The Universitario captain did a good defensive job, even though he often had to mark Neymar, but he knew how to handle it. Although he had little participation in offensive matters, he was applied at the back, taking care of his wing against the speed of ‘Ney’, Rodrygo and company.
Despite the defeat at the end, Corzo complied and can easily put Neymar or Rodrygo on his list of canceled players, which includes names like James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Ramón Sosa, since he did not give him space. The wear and tear of the ‘U’ player was so sacrificed that he even ended up feeling sick, clutching his calf.
Whole at 39 years old
If before the start of the Qualifiers there were doubts about Paolo Guerrero’s physical condition, after the first double date they were more than resolved. The captain of the national team played 180 minutes in five days, two qualifying matches, which were experienced with great intensity and rough play, and he came out well. The ‘Predator’ had to fight with strong center backs like Marquinhos and Gabriel, and the few that he could control he tried to associate with.
He will not have the speed of four years ago, but he does maintain his quality and experience in matches of this type. Paolo Guerrero with a single play or pass justifies his presence on the field. Against Brazil, he won several split balls over the top, controlled them and teamed up. Once he had the ball he looked for the pass down the wing.
It didn’t turn out well
Just as his rethinking in the second half against Paraguay was praised, this time Juan Reynoso’s bet failed. The team had made a great physical effort and the team was already asking for changes. ‘Cabezón’ took out Wilder Cartagena, with good work, and put in Jesús Castillo, who had entered Ciudad del Este well. However, the former Rimense player had a hard time getting in, he was not confident in the crosses and did not combine well in the middle of the field.
Reynoso’s other mistake was putting Raúl Ruidíaz in for André Carrillo, another player who was already tired. The coach thought of the ‘Flea’ as a second striker to capture the balls that Guerrero could win, but the Seattle attacker did not appear. As if that were not enough, he appeared in the photo of Marquinhos’ goal, he was at the near post and the Brazilian center back beat him to make it 1-0.
The shirt didn’t weigh him down
One of the players that the Peruvian fan wanted to see in this match was Joao Grimaldo. There was a lot of expectation to see what the Rimense player could do in a national team match and ‘Picante’ did not clash. Reynoso put him on after the break for Andy Polo and in the first play he showed himself just as he did in League 1, face-to-face, without hesitation or fear.
Although his job was also to support Aldo Corzo on the right wing, when he had the opportunity to face and pass, he did so. In one play, Grimaldo took Marquinhos and Bruno Guimaraes in speed and the latter fouled him. In ’23’ he came in plugged in and it is only a matter of time before he can own that position.
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