Peru Aims to Bounce Back Against Rafa Márquez’s Mexico
Por Carlos Rodríguez ·
The Peruvian national team, led by Brazilian coach Mano Menezes, will look to improve its performance this Tuesday against Mexico, coached by Rafa Márquez, in a friendly match to be held at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, United States.
Menezes must make adjustments following his team’s 4-1 loss to the United States last Saturday. In that match, Peru held its own in the first half, which ended 1-1, but the team lacked consistency and punch, and it paid the price in the second half when, following the coach’s substitutions, the rout began.
Peru faces a crucial test against a new-look Mexico
This Tuesday, Peru faces Mexico with the task of proving that it can remain competitive for the full 90 minutes, despite the changes on the field.
Players like Yoshimar Yotún, Gianluca Lapadula, Jhonny Vidales, and Jairo Vélez must improve the team’s performance from midfield forward.
The team will be without veteran André Carrillo, who was unable to join the squad due to a muscle strain.
Opposite them, the South American team will face Mexico, a rival looking to adapt to the demands of its new era under Rafael Márquez, who made history as a player by appearing in five World Cups.
However, this is his first experience as head coach, after serving as an assistant to Javier Aguirre—the new coach of Spain’s Valencia—during the last World Cup.
Gilberto Mora is generating excitement, but Mexico still can’t find the back of the net
In its debut—a 1-1 draw against Colombia last Saturday—El Tri showed flashes of good soccer.
But it was far from being a team that imposed its own style of play.
One of the highlights was the continued quality displayed by their latest rising star, Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old who, on the field, not only scored the equalizer but also caused the Colombian defense to struggle with his skill.
The problem, as has historically been the case in Mexico, is a lack of decisiveness.
Not even the return of veteran Hirving Lozano, young Armando González, or the Argentine-born, naturalized Mexican Germán Berterame could turn things around (Filed under: Mexico vs. Peru).
Probable Lineups
Mexico: José Rangel; Jorge Sánchez, Israel Reyes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo; Erik Lira, Álvaro Fidalgo, Gilberto Mora; Roberto Alvarado, Armando González, Hirving Lozano. Head Coach: Rafael Márquez.
Peru: Pedro Gallese; Oliver Sonne, Miguel Araujo, Renzo Garcés, Marcos López; Wilder Cartagena, Yoshimar Yotún, Jhonny Vidales, Jairo Vélez, Piero Magallanes; Gianluca Lapadula. Head Coach: Mano Menezes (BRA).
Referee: to be announced.
Time: 7:00 p.m. (1:00 a.m. GMT on Wednesday).
Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, United States (Filed as: Mexico vs. Peru).
With information from EFE
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